Gc m:
977.101
K77b ('
1195030
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Oei^J
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02480 8575
THE
Biographical Record
OS
KNOX COUNTY.
OHIO
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium
OF National Biography
ILLUSTRATED
'A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never
achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by
remote generations." — Macaulay
^
CHICAGO
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1195030
PART I.
KNOX COUNTY.
PREFACE.
UT of the depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote,
"History is the essence of innumerable biographies. "
Believing this to be the fact, there is no necessity of
advancing any further reason for the compilation of
such a work as this, if reliable history is to be the
ultimate object.
Kno.x County, Ohio, has sustained within its confines men who have
been prominent in the history of the State for almost a century. The annals
teem with the records of strong and noble manhood, and, as Sumner has
said, "the true grandeur of nations is in those qualities which constitute the
greatness of the individual." The final causes which shape the fortunes of
individuals and the destinies of States are often the same. They are usually
remote and obscure, and their influence scarcely perceived until manifestly
declared by results. That nation is the greatest which produces the greatest
and most manly men and faithful women; and the intrinsic safety of a com-
munity depends not so much upon methods as upon that normal develop-
ment from the deep resources of which proceeds all that is precious and
permanent in life. But such a result may not consciously be contemplated
by the actors in the great social drama. Pursuing each his personal good
by exalted means, they work out as a logical result.
The elements of success in life consist in both innate capacity and determi-
nation to e.xcel. Where either is wanting, failure is almost certain in the out-
come. The study of a successful life, therefore, serves both as a source of
information and as a stimulus and encouragement to those who have the
capacity. As an important lesson in this connection we may appropriately
quote Longfellow, who said: "We judge ourselves by what we feel capa-
ble of doing, while we judge others by what they have already done. " A
faithful personal history is an illustration of the truth of this observation.
PREFACE.
In this biographical history the editorial staff, as well as the publishers,
have fully realized the magnitude of the task. In the collection of the ma-
terial there has been a constant aim to discriminate carefully in regard to the
selection of subjects. Those who have been prominent factors in the public,
social and industrial development of the county have been given due recog-
nition as far as it has been possible to secure the requisite data. Names
worthy of perpetuation here, it is true, have in several instances been omit-
ted, either on account of the apathy of those concerned or the inability of
the compilers to secure the information necessary for a symmetrical sketch;
but even more pains have been taken to secure accuracy than were promised
in the prospectus. Works of this nature, therefore, are more reliable and
complete than are the "standard" histories of a country.
THE PUBLISHERS.
INDBX.
Adams, William B., 289
Adrian, M. H., 79
Ames, Benjamin, 95
Anderson, Alice B., .372
Anderson, Robert C, 173
Armentrout, Lyman W., 141
Baker, Oliver P., 277
Baldwin, William F., 255
Ball, Fanny B., 76
Banning, Anthony, 128
Banning, Henry B., 170
Banning, William D., 72
Baxter, John K., 221
Bechtel, Andrew, 181
Beckley, Calvin W., 108
Beers, Aaron D., 158
Beggs, Edward C, 222
Bell, Isaac, ,^jq
Bell, James, 29^;
Bennett, George S.. 213
Benson, Edward C, 139
Berry, James M., 270
Berry, Patrick A., 2ig
Best, David T., 2^=;
Beum, R. T. 291
Bishop, Clayton H., 230
Bixby, Eli, 347
Black, Albert G., 190
Black, Lyman W., 115
Blackford, Michael, 294
Blair, Clarena, 21
Blair, W. Roscoe, 21
Blubaugh, John J., 116
Blubaugh, Joseph F., ill
Blubaugh, Stephen, 357
Blyston, David K., 204
Body, William R., 205
Bone, Moses C, 85
Bottenfield. William L., 223
Bradfield, Charles R.. loi
Breckler, John P., 163
Britton, Lewis, 224
Brown, Joseph C, 122
Bulyer, David, 245
Burke, George W., 355
Buttles, Levi, 134
Campbell, Edivvin J., 297
Canning, George F-, 218
Cannon, James M., 180
Cassell, Arthur C, 60
Cassil, Alexander, 112
Cassil, John A., 319
Cassil, Robert, 318
Cavin, Edw^ard A., 272
Caywood. Leander, 368
Cochren, John, 268
Coe, Charles H., 207
Co?, C. W., 209
Coe, James W., 45
Collins, James P., 88
Colopy, Jonathan A.. 342
Colwill, Simon A., 91
Cooper, Charles, 14
Cooper, Williami C, 32
Cover, William H., 22
Craig, Stephen, 92
Crippen, Henry A., 86
Critchiield, Alexander, 35
Critchfield, Charles E., 248
Critchfield, Joseph, 124
Critchfield, Nathaniel, 147
Critchfield, Roland, .^oo
Cunningham, Milton AL, 65
Curtis, Henrv B., 18
Curtis, Henrv L., 262
Curtis, L. B., 262
Curtis, Walter C, 262
Darling, Adam H., 46
Davis, James W., 266
Davis, Joseph S., 67
Debolt, Harmon J., 194
Debolt, William I., 310
Deeley, Stanton E., 199
Delano, Columbus. 184
DeLong, Jacob H., 234
Dennis, Lureston W., 13S
Devin, He..rv C, 59
Devin, Joseph C, 58
Dickson, James, 59
Donahey, Parmenis N., 8
Drake. Judson R., 126
Durbin, Benjamin, 233
Durbin. Charles W., 294
Durbin, Henry P., 41
Durbin, John C, 149
Durbin, Raphael, 274
Dutt, George M., 269
Earlywine, Isaac, 124
Eastman, William H., 249
Ebersole, William, 38
Elliott, David B., 167
Elliott, Henry R., 260
Ely, William L., 256
Ewalt, Colum-bus, 62
Ewers, James F., 325
Fairchild, Frank L.. 88
Fawcett, John M., 100
Ferris, Harrison, 254
Fish, Alfred. 251
Fish, Joseph A., 162
Fowler, John, 350
INDEX.
Frasher, William H., 53
Jackson. Isaac L.. 182
McKinley, John L., 120
Fry, W. H., 350
Jackson. Sylvadore. 215
McKinney, George E.. 283
V
Jeppesen. John. 199
Merriman. W. B., 133
Morningstar. Abraham, 63
G.
Johnson. Belle C. 171
Jones. Fred W.. 176
Motz, John M., 345
Gantt. Samuel 0., 198
Jones. Goshorn A., 212
Mulhane, L. W., 56
Gilmor, William. 77
Murphy, George T., 191
Gilmore, John. 285
K.
Murray. Charles. 362
Gilmore. John C. 279
Mj'ers. Jacob B.. 151
Graham. E. S., ,326
Kaylor, Michael. 117
Myers, Joseph, 73
Grant, William E.. 220
Kerr, Benjamin. 136
Green. Hugh L.. 178
Kerr, Wilson S.. 1.36
N.
Green. William H.. 378
King. Lawrence. 301
Greer, Alexander W., 319
Kirk. DeSault B.. 29
Nixon. Daniel, 31-1
Greer, Henry H.. 9
Kirk. Robert C, 27
Norrick, John H., 271
Griffith, Benjamin L., 146
Kirkpatrick. Albert S., 252
Nyhart, David L., 332
Grubb, Levi. 145
Knox. Robert A., 153
Nyhart, Noah, 202
Grubb. C. M., 246
L.
0.
H.
Lanning. Israel, 363
Owen. Frank V.. 64
Hamilton. Joseph H.. 211
Larimore, Isaac P.. ig.i
P.
-Harper, Franklin. 61
Leedy, Eugene R., 334
Harris. Henry C, 140
Leedy. Isaac, 96
Parsons, Abraham, 118
Harris, John O., 71
Leedy. Joseph, 139
Parsons, Lanning, 119
Harter, George S., 344
Leonard. John. 43
Parsons, Nathan, 119
Hawn. William, 305
Lepley. Marvin. 106
Phillips, Thomas S.. 93
Harden. J. K.. 311
Lepley. Simon C. 103
Phillips, W. 0., 196
Hayes, Telford F., 371
Levering. Frank 0.. 130
Pitkin Theodore S.. 228
Hays. Jacob, 82
Levering. Homer B.. iji
Ponterfield. George W.. 65
Hays, Leander, 81
Levering. Milton G.. 374
Potter. S. B., 154
Hays, Morgan, 177
Lewis, Leander H.. 12
Pumphrey, Josiah M.. 136
Head, Thomas R.. 164
Lindley, John W.. 335
Purdy, Richard D.. 68.
Henley, Charles W.. 52
Lockwood. Eliakim E.. 321
Putnam, Robert, 282
Henwood, George E., 330
Loney, J. Calvin. 160
Putnam. Walter S., 2S2
Hervey. George E., 375
Long, John R.. 195
Hibbets, Henry, 288
I.osh. John J., 341
R.
Hickman, Thomas C.. 104
Lybarger. INIarvin. 105
Honey, James, 167
Ramey. E. M.. 339
Horn, Martin J., 94
M.
Republican Pub. Co.. 259
Horn, R. D., 370
Rice, C. F., 333
Houck, Lewis B., 312
Martin, Clay D., 160
Rice, Clinton M.. 107
Hunt. LeRoy G., 168
Martin, James. 373
Rice. Oscar. 159
Hyatt. John J.. 331
McCament. Leander. 50
Richert, John, 174
Hyatt. Luther L., 239
McCamment, William, 348
Robertson, Amasa P.. 229
McCluer. William, ,307
Robertson, H. H.. 232
L
McDaniel, David, 280
Robertson, John T., 250
McDaniel, John. 299
Roof, Perry. 123
lams. Charles C. 259
McDermott. William. 360
Rush, John L,. 37
Inks. Thomas A., 70
McFadden. William. 2,7
S.
McParland, Joseph A., 241
J.
McGinley. James. 143
Sapp, Dwight E.. 48
McGinley. Wilson S.. 304
Sapp. George. 114
Jackson. Charles C, 261
McGugin. Daniel. 327
Scholes, Allen, 377
INDEX.
Schroeder. William L., 2S
Scott, Joseph, 322
Scott, Lewis B., 366
Searl, Otis, 150
Sellers, Delphos S., 74
Sellers. George, 309
Severns, French W., 99
Severns, Samuel, 104
Shaffer, David, 80
Sherwood, Hauphrey, 264
Shipley, George W., 365
Shuff, George W., 84
Shults, George W., 203
Simmons, Nathan, 343
Simons, Fred D.. .so
Simons, Monroe J., 298
Sim-pson, John, 292
Smith, Benjamin, 127
Smith, John H., 353
Smith. William H., 39
Snively, John, 346
Snyder, James L., 276
Spry, George H,, 36
Staats, Joseph, 275
Stahl, Daniel W., 287
Stillwell, Francis M., 157
Strong, Norman M., 337
Sutton, J'. S., 324
Swank, George. 307
Swingle, Chris, 244
Taylor, Eli John P., 47
Taylor, George H., 87
Thayer, George E., 221
Thayer, Walter H., 221
Toland, Nicholas S., igi
Trimble, Thomas IT., 296
Tulloss, John J., 165
Vance, Joseph W., 352
Vannatta, Samuel T. 144
W.
Wagner, Henrv, 328
Walkey, William W., 303
Wander, Michael, no
Watkins, Frank, 217
Watson, A. G., 291
Waus-h, John. 71
Weider, Adam C., 323
Welker, George A., 179
Welsh, Mathew, 242
White, Harmon, 277
Whitworth, John T., 281
Williams, L. L., 173
Willits, David, 24
Wilson, James P., 286
Wineland, Enhraim M., 51
Wolfe, Albert I., 314
Wolfe, Gary E., 210
Wolfe, Eli A., 42
Wolfe, Frederick C., 354
Workman, Andrew J., 359
Workman, Barnett B.. 367
Workman, Elisha, 129
Workman, James, 340
Workman, Joseph T,, 201
Workman, Mark, 243
Workman, Uriah C, 156
Wright, Albert, 265
Yauger, George W., 31
Yearley, William H., 90
Young, Silas, 78
M. ^ ^^m^
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO
HENRY H. GREER.
Ohio has always been distinguished for
the high rank of her bench and bar. Many
of her jurists and attorneys have been men
of national fame, and among those whose
lives have been passed on a quieter plane
there is scarcely a town or city in the state
but can boast of one or more lawyers capable
of crossing swords in forensic combat with
any of the distinguished legal lights of the
United States. In Mr. Greer we find united
many of the rare qualities which go to make
up the successful lawyer. He possesses,
perhaps, few of those brilliant, dazzling me-
teoric qualities which have sometimes
flashed along the legal horizon, riveting the
gaze and blinding the vision for the moment,
then disappearing, leaving little or no trace
behind, but rather has those solid and more
substantial qualities which shine with a con-
stant luster, shedding light in the dark
places with steadiness and continuity. Mr.
Greer has in an eminent degree that rare
ability of saying in a convincing way the
right thing at the right time. His mind is-
analytical, logical and inductive. With a.
thorough and comprehensive knowledge of
the fundamental principles of law, he com-
bines a familiarity with statutory law and a.
sober clear judgment which makes him a
formidable legal adversary.
Mr. Greer is one of the native residents
of Knox county, his birth having here oc-
curred on the 22d of July, 1837. He is a
descendant of Revolutionary ancestry, two
of his great uncles holding office in the Co-
lonial Army in the war for independence,
one being a colonel. Both were in the battle
of Bunker Hill and at the siege of Valley
Forge. The family has ever been celebrated
for its patriotism, loyalty, endurance and de^
termination. Major Alexander Greer, the
great-grandfather of our subject, was a na-
tive of County Antrim, Ireland, and crossed
the zA.tlantic to the new world in 1785. He
was a most successful man of affairs, his en-
terprise enabling him to conduct a prosper-
ous business. Colonel John Greer, the
grandfather of our subject, was born near
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Belfast, Ireland, and came to America in
the year 1800. He was a man of unusual
strength of mind, a thoughtful and scholarly
gentlaiian, well educated and was of a patri-
otic spirit, earnestly attached to the institu-
tions and forms of government of his adopt-
ed country, which he served as a soldier in
the war of 18 12. A. Banning Norton, in
his History of Knox county, says of him :
"The Greers are mainly descended from that
noble old patriarch, John Greer, who was a
native of the Emerald Isle, and was what
is called 'an Irish patriot.' " Being pos-
sessed of a powerful constitution and strong,
Tigorous intellect, he took a prominent posi-
tion among the pioneers, and being particu-
larly efficient in military matters he did
much to promote the formation of com-
panies in the eastern townships. From 1812
to 181 7 he served as collector of taxes and
in 1830 was elected to represent his district
in the state legislature.
Major Alexander Greer, the father of
H. H. Greer, was born in Washington coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and when five
^ears of age accompanied his parents to
Ohio, the family locating amid the first set-
tlers of the eastern district of Knox county.
He was a man of high character and sterling
integrity, and was held in high esteem. He
tilled a number of positions of trust, early
engaged in promoting the cause of educa-
tion and used his influence to further all
that was best for his fellow men. He was
one of the most successful farmers in the
county, industrious and capable and possess-
ing the highest integrity. He was largely
instrumental in laying broad and deep the
foundation for the present prosperity and
progress of the county and was honored and
respected by all who knew him. He married
Alargaret Robinson, a daughter of William
Robinson, one of the pioneers in the eastern
part of Knox county, coming from Mary-
land in 1809. He represented Knox county
in the legislature in the- years 1826-7. ^J^^s.
Greer was a lady of great worth, of strong
mentality and gentle influence.
From the foregoing ancestral history it
will be seen that Henry Harrison Greer
sprang from sturdy pioneer stock and in-
herited patriotic spirit. His early years
were spent in a manner not unlike that of
most farm boys of the period. He attended
the common school and worked on the farm,
but later better educational facilities were
afforded his in the schools of Millwood and
Haysville and in Dennison University. Pro-
fessional life attracted him and desiring to
become a member of the bar he began read-
ing law in the office of Delano, Sapp &
Smith. Upon the dissolution of the firm he
continued his studies under the direction of
Walter H. Smith, and in May, i860, he was
admitted to the bar. He did not, however,
immediately enter upon practice for he ac-
cepted the position of leading deputy in the
office of his father, who was county treas-
urer of Knox county. The following year
Mr. Greer was elected to succeed his father
in the position, which he filled until 1864,
v.hen, declining a re-election, he entered
into a law partnership with Hon. W. R.
Sapp, a relation that was maintained from
1865 until April, 1869. At that time he
succeeded to the practice and law office of
Hon. W. H. Smith, upon the latter's accept-
ance of the solicitorship of the bureau of in-
ternal revenue in the treasury department,
to which he was appointed by President
Grant and from which he was promoted to
the position of assistant attorney general.
3 1833 02480 8575
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
It is the theory of the law that the coun-
sel who practice are to aid the court in the
administration of justice and such has been
the aim of the professional career of Air.
Greer. He has been most careful to conform
his practice to a high standard of profes-
sional ethics. He has never sought to lead
the court astray in a matter of fact or law.
Calm, dignified, free from passion or preju-
dice and overflowing with kindness, he gives
to his clients the service of great talent, un-
wearied industry and rare learning, but he
never forgets that there are certain things
due tO' the court, to his own self-respect and
above all to justice and a righteous adminis-
tration of the law, which neither the zeal of
an advocate nor the pleasure of success will
permit him to disregard.
Mr. Greer continued to practice alone
until 1889, when he admitted his son, Rob-
ert M. Greer, to- a partnership. The son
was graduated in Kenyon at the age of
twenty, read law with his father, was ad-
mitted to the bar in June, 1889, and imme-
diately thereafter became a member of the
law firm of H. H. and R. M. Greer, a style
then adopted and still preserved. The jun-
ior member possesses ai good intellectual
equipment, a fine collegiate education, is
well grounded in the general principles of
law, is apt in discrimination of decisions of
courts and is already well established in
practice. As a counselor Henry H. Greer
stands pre-eminent in the estimation of the
local bar, in the disposition and manage-
ment of really large and important affairs.
Well informed in the law, he is further forti-
fied by quick and clear perceptions of the
points involved in a controversy, a mental
grasp that comprehends all details and a
capacity for reasoning that enables him to
arrive at correct conclusions. In the pre-
sentation of the law to the court he is strong,
clear, exhaustive and forceful. In the argu-
ment of facts to the jury he also has great
power and he occupies a foremost place at
the bar. It is his aim to be just, fair and
considerate of the proof to such an extent
that juries have great confidence in his state-
ments. For more than a quarter of a cent-
ury he has been connected with the most im-
portant litigation of the county.
In matters appertaining to the adminis-
tration and settlements of large estates, the
adjustments of conflicting interests requiring
tact and diplomacy as well as legal knowl-
edge, Mr. Greer is employed very frequent-
ly. For many years he has been intimately
connected with affairs of the community de-
manding enterprise and public spirit. He
has also given much attention to business
and corpo^ration matters. In 1888 he accept-
ed the position of secretary and treasurer of
the Knox County Mutual Fire Insurance
Company, which is the oldest mutual com-
pany in Ohio. Its incorporators were
men of great prominence, high commer-
cial standing and personal responsibility,
the number including the Hon. Colum-
bus Delano, who in his lifetime was
the peer of the ablest men in the
state. This company, under the careful
and wise management of the secretary, has
been successful as a corporation and gained
wide popularity by its promptness in paying
losses. Unusually liberal in the treatment
of its patrons by accepting a small percent-
age rate for insurance, the company has
paid losses aggregating over a million dol-
lars. Regarding it as a foster child Mr.
Greer has guarded and protected and pro-
moted its interests without in the least neg-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
lecting his law business or other duties. At
this time the company is one, if not the very
strongest, mutual insurance company in the
state, resting upon a financial basis of en-
during strength.
For the last fourteen years Mr. Greer
has served as a member of the Columbus
State Hospital board of trustees, receiving
his appointment two out of the three times
from the late lamented President William
McKinley, who was then governor of Ohio,
and with whom iie was intimately associated.
In the past six years Mr. Greer has been the
president of the board and during all these
years large sums of money have passed un-
der the management and control of this
board without the loss of a single dollar,
showing a scrupulous honesty and care of
the interests of the state and that of its un-
fortunate wards. The estimated value of
his official services is fairly inferable from
these circumstances. He has not been a
candidate for political office and has even
refused to stand for nomination for the ju-
dicial office. He) had formidable and in-
fluential support for appointment to the
high and honorable position of judge of the
United States court of appeals. His name
was considered by President Harrison at the
request of men of great prominence in the
party and the profession, both in central
Ohio and Cleveland. Among those who
visited Washington and called upon the
president in his behalf was Columbus Bel-
ano. Although the candidates for the place
were numerous he was second only to
Judge Taft in the favor of the appointing
ixiwer, and second to none in qualifications
and endorsements. He had always been
connected with the Republican party and
has long been a trusted advisor in its coun-
cils. Whatever he has done to direct politi-
cal policy or to promote partisan success
had not its inspiration in self-interest, but in
the conviction that the policy of the party
to which he belongs would better conserve
the interests of the people. He has been
absolutely free from political ambition in
a personal sense. A native of the county
which has been his home during the sixty-
five years of his life Mr. Greer has become
thoroughly identified with the people and the
welfare of the community. His life has
been open and more than ordinarily prom-
inent. He is well known to his fellow citi-
zens and his reputation is safe in their hands.
He is of good report among them. If any
antagonisms have been aroused they are
only such as a man of force and activity is
liable tO' encounter in' the performance of
his duty. He is a leader in the affairs of the
municipality and is relied upon as the friend
and champion of policies and measures best
adapted to the wants oif a progressive com-
munity. His daily life illustrates the spirit
of Qiristianity without the badge of public
profession or church membership. He is
charitable, hospitable, kind and true-hearted.
He has a secure place in the confidence and
the affection of his neighbors, as well as-
an honorable position in the profession.
LEANDER PI. LEWIS.
One of the most widely known and
popular citizens of Knox county is Leander
Head Lewis, who is now living a retired
life in Mount Vernon. He has been actively
and prominently connected with mercantile
interests in Fredericktown and Mount Ver-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
non, has been honored with pubHc office and
now has put aside business cares to enjoy a
well-earned rest. The circle of his friends
is almost coextensive with the circle of his
acquaintances, and his life history will be
gladly received by many of our readers.
Mr. Lewis is one of Ohio's native sons,
his birth having occurred in Huron county,
on the 23d of August, 1843. He represents
one of the oldest families of America, tracing
his ancestry back to one of five brothers,
who came from Wales in early colonial days.
One settled at Whitestown, Long Island,
one at Pawtucket, one at Puilmore,
another at Exeter, and Daniel became a
resident of Connecticut. It is from him
that our subject is descended. Daniel
Lewis was the father of seven sons
and a number of daughters. His son, Enn-
iel, settled in Westerly and had seven -hil-
dren, namely: Jasper, Waitstill, Poene-
nagh, William, Mary and two whose names
are not remembered.
The line of descent is brought on down
to Joseph Lewis, wIto was born in 1720
and in 1752 was united in marriage to Mary
Bliven, who was born in 1734. She was a
daughter of Edward Bliven, whose parents
were Edward and Freelove (Baker) Bliven.
He was a native of Somerset, England and
married Ereelove Baker, whose father, Pe-
ter Baker, was a Baptist minister. Their
son, Edward Bliven, Jr., was married and
his children were Joseph, Edward, Peter,
Mabel, Patience, John, Nathan, Mary and
Sarah. Of this number Mary Bliven be-
came the wife of Joseph Lewis. He died in
1799 and she survived until 1813, when she,
too, passed away. Their children were as
follows: Freelove, born in 1753; Sylves-
ter, in 1754; Wealthy, in 1755; Mary, in
1757; Sylvia, in 1759; Hannah, in 1760;
Joseph, in October, 1762; John, in 1767;
Sarah, in 1770; Abigail, in 1772; and Elias,
in 1775.
Of this family Joseph Lewis Jr., who
was born in October, 1762, was the grand-
father of our subject. He wedded Mary
Gilbert and their children were Jasper, Gil-
bert, Becky, Mary, Elias, Jonathan, Charles
and James B. After the death of his first
wife the father married Susan Clark. James
B. Lewis a son of the first marriage, and the
father of our subject, was born September
10, 1802, and after arriving at years of ma-
turity was married, on the 14th of July,
1825, to Miss Louisa White, who died Sep^
teniber 11, 1840. On the 24th of June,
1 84 1, he was again married, his second
union being with Susain Head, who was
born June 2, 1812. Unto them were born
two sons. Leander Head and James S.
The former, the subject of this reveiw,
was reared to manhood under the parental
roof and in the public schools of Huron
county pursued his education . When a
young man of twenty years he came to Knox
county, settling in Fredericktown, where
he was employed as a shipping clerk in the
service of C. R. Hooker. After a few
years he began business on his own account
as a merchant, dealing in dry goods and
clothing. His patronage steadily increased
and he became one of the leading merchants
of the town, doing a large and profitable bus-
iness until 1888, when he sold his entire
stock, after being appointed deputy treas-
urer of Knoix county under W. H. Ralston.
In 1889 he removed his family to Mount
Vernon, where he has since made his home.
He served as deputy treasurer for four years
and at the expiration of that period he re-
A CEXTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sunied merchandising, establishing a store,
which he stocked with groceries, boots and
shoes. He was not long in securing a lib-
eral patronage and successfully carried on
the store until April, 1901, when he sold
out and retired to private life. His toil,
capable management and enterprise in form-
er years brought to him a handsome com-
petence which now enables him to rest from
his labors and yet enjoy many of the com-
forts and luxuries of life.
On the 4th of September, 1867, Mr.
Lewis was married to Miss Anna M. Aker,
a daughter of Bowman and Rebecca (Cas-
sel) Aker. She was born March 8, 1847,
and died on the 8th of April, 1872. Mr.
Lewis has since again married, his second
union being with Mansoneta (Braddock)
Durbin. Her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth (Dur-
bin) Cattle, died July 17, 1890, while an-
other sister, Mrs. Olive Baker, passed away
in October, 1891. Her half brother. Pro-
fessor C. W. Durbin, died December 25,
1895, and Mrs. Samantha (Durbin) Gran-
din, died February 21, 1890. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Lewis were born two children. The
son, George Durbin Lewis, was born Jan-
uary 20, 187S, and was a member of the
Ohio state militia. When war was declared
against Spain he enlisted in Company L,
Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Col-
onel Coyt and was made first duty sergeant.
After three weeks spent in camp at Colum-
bus the regiment went with General Miles to
Porto Rico, where it was stationed at the
time peace was declared. Mr. Lewis then
returned with his command, was honorably
discharged and mustered out of the ser\-ice
January 20, 1899. He dien became em-
ployed in the INIount Vernon postoffice,
where he remained until August 6, 1901,
when he went to Denver, Colorado,
where he is now located. Iva Browning,
the only daughter of ]\Ir. and I\Irs. Lewis,
was born August 27, 1882. She is a grad-
uate of the Mount Vernon high school and
is now taking a special course as an elocu-
tionist in the Northwestern University, at
Evanston, Illinois.
The family occupy a commodious and el-
egant residence on North Main street. It
is surrounded by a large and shady lawn
and is most attractive, being celebrated for
its gracious and pleasing hospitality. Mrs.
Lewis is a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church and politically he is a strong Re-
publican. He is one of the best-known men
of the county and his many excellencies of
character have gained for him a host of
warm friends.
CHARLES COOPER.
The history of a country is chiefly the
chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who
have conferred honor and dignity upon so-
ciety. The world judges the character of a
community by that of its representative cit-
izens, and yields its tribute of admiration and
respect to the genius, learning or virtues of
those whose works and actions constitute
the record of a country's prosperity and
pride; and it is in their character, as exem-
plified in probity and benevolence, kindly
virtues and integrity in the affairs of life,
are ever affording worthy examples for em-
ulation and valuable lessons of incentive.
To a student of biography there is noth-
ing more interesting than to examine the
life history of a self-made man to detect the
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
elements of character which have enabled
him to pass on the highway of life many of
the companions of his youth who at the out-
set of their careers were more advantageous-
ly equipped or endowed. The subject of
this review through his own exertions at-
tained an honorable position and marked
prestige among the representative men of
his state, and with signal consistency it may
be said that he was the architect of his own
fortunes, having builded wisely and well.
Charles Cooper, who during his life
time as a resident of Mount Vernon and
was the founder of the C. & G. Cooper En-
gine Works, was born in Clinton township,
Knox county, Ohio, on the 2d of January,
iSii. He was a son of Cary and Elizabeth
(Ruple) Cooper. The father, born in Mor-
ris county. New Jersey, on the 29th of Jan-
uary, 1 78 1, came to Knox county, Ohio, in
1806, and here spent the remainder of his
life, passing away in 1831. His wife, also a
native of New Jersey, born in March, 1784,
passed away in death in this county in 1868,
at the age of eighty-four years. Their mar-
riage was celebrated in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, in 1803, and they became the
parents of six sons and three daughters.
Their son, Charles, was reared to manhood
on the home farm, and about 1831 he re-
moved tO' Zanesville, Ohio, where he was
engaged in coal mining on a moderate scale
for two and a half years. Business, how-
ever, did not prosper to the extent desired
by our subject, and one day, in a discouraged
condition, he threw himself upon the grass
and while engaged in thought observed the
smoke issuing from a cupola. of an old-time
Zanesville foundry. The thought at once
flashed through his mind that he would es-
tablish a foundry in !Mount Vernon and.
springing to his feet, resolved to make this
inspiration a reality. A rapid and firm de-
cision and instantianeous and effective action
were the qualities most uppermost in Mr.
Cooper's business character, and these won
for him his remarkable success.- In 1833
he and his brother, Elias, erected their
foundry and began the manufacture of
plows, hallO'W-ware and such castings as
were demanded in Mount Vernon and the
surrounding country. This enterprise grew
rapidly, and Mr. Cooper delighted to relate
to his family and intimate friends the cir-
cumstances which led to the establishment of
this successful concern. On one other oc-
casion was he similarly influenced by some
unforseen force. Bowed down and dis-
heartened by business losses during the panic
of 1857, while crossing the Mount Vernon
square he experienced a renewel of determin-
ation and strength in answer to a prayer,
and this prepared him lo successfully weath-
er the financial storm which was so keenly
felt throughout the country.
In 1840 the firm began the manufacture
of threshing machines, this proving a profit-
able addition to their already extensive bus-
iness. Elias Cooper died in 1848, and in
the following year T. L. Qark purchased a
third interest in the plant, business being
then conducted under the firm, name of Coo-
per & Clark until 1850, when John Cooper,
a brother of our subject, also purchased a
third interest, the firm being then known as
Coopers & Clark. In 1853 Mr. Clark re-
tired, the business style then becoming C.
& J. Cooper. In January, 1868, F. L. Fair-
child purchased an interest and the business
was then conducted under the firm name of
C. & J. Cooper & Co. In January, 1869, the
works of C. & J. Cooper & Co. and Coopers
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
& Rogers were consolidated and C. G. Coop-
er, a son of Elias Cooper, and Colonel
George Rogers were admitted to the partner-
ship, the business continuing under the firm
name of C. & J. Cooper & Co. In November,
1869, John Cooper retired, and the business
was thereafter conducted under the firm,
name of C. & G. Cooper & Co. In 188 1 Col-
onel George Rogers retired from the busi-
ness and D. B. Kirk and C. F. Cooper, a son
of Charles Cooper, became interested in the
business. Colonel George Rogers' business
career was ended in death in 1882.
In 1853 C. & J. Cooper built one of the
first locomotives constructed west of the
Allegheny Mountains, which was used on
the Ohio Central Railroad for many years.
They constructed a number of locomotives,
but the original plant has been lost in the
rapid growth and development of this im-
portant concern. The plant now covers an
area of several acres. For a number of years
the company have confined their efforts to
the manufacture of Corliss engines, and in
this line they have established a reputation
second to none in the United States, their
products being shipped to all parts of the
world.
In 1895 the business was incorporated
under the name and style of The C. & G.
Cooper Company, and the following officers
elected : Charles Cooper, chairman of the
board of directors, which position he held
until the time of his death; F. L. Fairchild,
president oi the company ; C. G. Cooper, sec-
retary; D. B. Kirk, treasurer. The same
officers have continued up to the present
time.
Charles Cooper had a remarkable record,
and from the study of his life history one
may learn valuable lessons. It illustrates
in no uncertain manner what is possible to
accomplish when perseverance and deter-
mination form the keynote to a man's life.
Depending upon his own resources he arose
from comparative obscurity to a place of
prominence in the business and social world,
and the town of Mount Vernon owes much
to him on account of his connection with
her business interests.
In politics Mr. Cooper was a Whig, with
strong anti-slavery sentiments, and he as-
sisted many a slave to continue his march
toward freedom, the colored population of
Mount Vernon always finding in him a
friend. In 1856, on the formation of the
Republican party, he joined its ranks, and
in 1868 he was the Republican candidate
for congress. He was also a friend to the
poor and needy, but his gifts were without
ostentation. Oberlin, Kenyon and other ed-
ucational institutions were the recipients of
his generous gifts, and he was always
greatly interested in local charities, the Chil-
dren's Home having been an object of
special interest to him and of which he was
the founder and constant benefactor. He
was for several years and up to the time of
his death the president of the Knox National
Bank, of Mount Vernon, president of the
Mount Vernon Gas Company, and was also
president of the board of trustees of Mound
View cemetery. The public library also re-
ceived his financial support. In his relig-
ious views he was a worthy and zealous
member of the Congregational church, the
cause of Christianity ever finding in him a
warm friend and active worker.
On the 23d of June, 1833, Mr. Cooper
was united in marriage to Miss Almeda, a
daughter of John Murphy, but after a few
years of happy married life the wife was
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
called to the home beyond, leaving one child,
who is now the wife of A. F. Seeberger, of
Chicago, Illinois. On the loth of March,
184G, Mr. Cooper was a second time mar-
ried. Miss Isabel Weaver becoming his wife.
She is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rog-
ers) Weaver, of Mount Vernon, but form-
erly of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Unto
this union were born the following children :
Alice, widow of the late Dr. J. W. Stamp,
of Mount Vernon, and they had two chil-
dren, Charles Marcus and Jane; Mae, who
married Desault B. Kirk, of Mount Vernon,
whose history also appears in this work, and
her death occurred on the 30th of March,
1887; Adel, who married X. L. Otis, a son
of Judge L. B. Otis, of Chicago, but form-
erly of Fremont, Ohio, and they have one
daughter, Louise; Cora, who married Gen-
eral C. C. Howell, of Knoxville, Tennessee,
but formerly of Colorado, and they have
two children, Helen C. and Cornelia C.
Charles F., the only son of the family, was
born in Mount Vernon, in 1858, and his
death occurred on the ist of September,
1894, at the age of thirty-six years. He re-
ceived his education in Oberlin College, and
after completing his studies he became a.
member of the C. & G. Cooper Company.
Outside of his business interests his chief
pleasure was found in travel and study, and
he thus became a well informed man. His
friends were many and on the list were num-
bered many of the representative men of the
locality. His death was the cause of wide-
spread regret, while the community mourned
the loss of one of its truest and best citi-
zens. He married Miss Amelia Sturges, of
Mount Vernon, a daughter of F. D. Sturges,
president of the First National Bank, of this
city. Their union was blessed with the fol-
lowing children : Charles, who was named
in honor of his father and grandfather ; Isa-
bel, Ethel, James Sturges and Eunice.
Charles Cooper's life's labors were ended
in death on the 7th of February, 1901, pass-
ing away at his home on West Sugar street,
having reached the ninety-first milestone on
the journey of life. His path was ever up-
ward both in a spiritual and temporal sense.
As this review shows he was distinctively a
self-made man — one of nature's noblemen
whom no force of circumstances could pros-
trate or draw into obscurity. He indeed de-
serves mention among Ohio's representative
citizens, and should find a place in the his-
tory of the men of business and enterprise
whose force of character, sterling integrity,
control of circumstances and whose marked
success in establishing great industries have
contributed in such an eminent degree to the
solidity and progress of the entire country.
His life was manly, his actions sincere, his
manner unaffected and his example is well
worthy of emulation. On the occasion of
Mr. Cooper's death one of the Mount Ver-
non papers truthfully said of him: "Death
ends the labors of man. The passing of Mr.
Cooper from the scenes of his earthly activ-
ities and usefulness is sincerely mourned by
all who have had the honor of a personal ac-
quaintance with Mount Vemon's 'grand old
man,' or whoi have appreciated the extent
and unostentatiousness of his benefactions to
the community and to individuals. Nor will
the magnificent engine works, which he de-
veloped through sixty-seven years from an
insignificant shop be his most enduring
monument, but in each heart that has felt his
benevolent influence will be reared a ceno-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
taph that shall endure forever. His career
was intensely human, and an the book of life
his name is enrolled as one who loved his
fellow men. May he rest in peace."
HENRY B. CURTIS.
It was in 1885 that Henry B. Curtis
passed from this life — full of years and of
honors, but the result and influence of his
life work still ling'ers. There has been no
resident of Mount Vernon who has taken a
more active or helpful interest in the wel-
fare and progress of the city and for years
he was numbered among- its distinguished
lawyers and capitalists. He was born near
the village of Champlain, New York, No-
vember 28, 1799, a son of Zarah and Phal-
ley (Yale) Curtis. The former was born
in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1762,
and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary
war, loyally fighting for independence. His
wife was the eldest daughter of Aaron and
Anna (Hosmer) Yale and was born in
Hartford, Connecticut, in 1762. They were
married in 1785 and removed to Charlotte,
Vermoint, where some of their daughters
were born, while Hosmer Curtis, an older
brother of our subject, was born in Litch-
field, Connecticut. His death occurred in
Keokuk, Iowa, in 1874, at the advanced age
of eig'hty-five years. From Charlotte, Ver-
mont, the family removed to a farm on the
west side of Lake Champlain, near the vil-
lage of that name, where they resided until
1809. when they went to Newark, Licking
county, Ohio. A few years later the father
purchased a farm at the South fork of the
Licking river, where the family were living
when Henry Barnes Curtis started out in
life on his own account. That property was
afterward sold and another farm purchased,
on which the father died in 1849, i'^ ^^""^
eighty-eighth year of his age, beloved and
respected as a member of the Christian
church.
'Henry B. Curtis was a lad of only nine
years when he came to Ohio. At that time
Newark was a village of but fifty or sixty
rude houses, mostly log cabins. The oppor-
tunities for a thorough education were some-
what limited, yet the private schools of Ros-
well Mills and Amos H. Coffee gave to the
diligent and faithful students facilities for
an education, not only in the common school
studies, but also in the higher English
branches. Under these faithful teachers and
some private instructors in a partial classical
course Mr. Curtis, by hard study, gained a
liberal education. During the whole period
he assisted his father in the farm work and
even after leaving home he continued to pay
his parents all his wages except what was
necessary for his expenses until he was twen-
ty years of age. When a youth of seven-
teen he left the farm and came to Mount
Vernon, where his brother, Hosmer, was
then practicing law. With his assistance he
obtained a position in the clerks office, where
his assiduity and ready skill soon secured
him the appointment of deputy clerk. Tims
he became acquainted with the distinguished
lawyers of that day and won their friendship.
Familiarized with courts and legal forms
of proceedings in this way, he was naturally
directed to the law as a life work. In the
fall of 1820 he became a law student in his
brother's office and on the 9th of December,
1822, he was admitted to the bar.
As an evidence of the kindly estimation
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
in which he was held by the judges of the
court, after he had retired from the deputy
clerkship and while yet a student, the four
judges on the bench appointed him recorder
of the county, a position which he filled for
seven years. This advancement in the out-
set of life was a material aid to him. It
gave him position and with the g'eneral ac-
quaintance he had previously secured, his
familiarity with the forms of legal proceed-
ings, a well-read knowledge of the law and a
diligent application to the study of his cases
and preparation of his briefs, he soon fell
into a large and profitable practice. When
he entered upon the practice of the law there
were but two other resident lawyers in the
county, but others soon came — men of abil-
ity and prominence — and it was the capable
lawyer that held a foremost position at the
bar, as did Mr. Curtis. In the earlier years
of his practice his professional circuit em-
braced besides Knox the counties of Licking,
Richlamd, Delaware and Coshocton, with
frequent extension in special cases to more
remote courts. On the 9th of January,
1863, he was admitted to the bar of the
United States supreme court in Washington
and at different times his practice took him
to this court as well as to the supreme court
of the state and the United States circuit
and district courts. In December, 1872,
he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his
admission to the bar by giving a supper at
his residence, "Round Hill," to the resident
members of the profession and many old
time friends. He announced on that occa-
sion that he would decline all new retainers
thereafter, and leave the field to his younger
brethren and thenceforward he would try to
give better attention to his private business.
Mr. Curtis never deserted his profession to
seek political preferment. In view of the
success that crowned his career it is evident
that in the choice of his profession he acted
wisely.
On the 2d of July, 1823, Mr. Curtis mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Hogg, daughter of Per-
cival and Elizabeth Hogg, of Monnt Pleas-
ant, Jefiferson county, Ohio<. Her family
had but recently arrived in this country from
Durham, England, w-here she was born^
June 22, 1863. She died in Mount Vernon
July 17, 1878. They had six daughters and
two sons, but only one is living, Ella, the
wife of Joseph C. Devin, a lawyer of Mount
Vernon, who at one time was state senator
from Knox county.
In politics a Republican, Mr. Curtis was
present and took part in the convention in
which the party was organized in Ohio. Al-
though he believed firmly in the principles of
the party and always voted therefor he
would never become a candidate for office,
save in 1840, when he accepted the Whig
nomination for congress and succeeded in
reducing his opponent's previous majority
by overdone thousand. Although he desired
not political office he was honored with many
public trusts. He represented Knox county
in the state board of equalization in the win-
ter of 1840-41, a body legislative in form
of organization and in which many vital and
important question in regard to the material
interests of the state were discussed and set-
tled. For twelve years preceding the disso-
lution of the board he held the office of trus-
tee of the Central Lunatic Asylum. At the
time of the transfer of its powers to three
commissioners of the building, and for soine
time previous, he was acting president of the
board. This trust involved the care of over
five hundred insane, the administration and
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
general government of its affairs, and after
the burning of the old buildings the carrj'-
ing forward the construction of the immense
new edifice for the institution.
About the summer of 1823 Bishop
Chase first visited Mount Vernon with a
view of finding a suitable location for a pro-
posed institution, now known as Kenyon
■College. Tlirough the influence of Mr. Cur-
tis, a tract of about eight thousand acres
was purchased. He gave all the aid he
•could toward b'lilding up and advancing
the interests of the school, and in 1881 he
received from the institution the degree of
Doctor of Laws. He served for a long
period as a member of its board of trustees
and in 1881 he made it a munificent dona-
tion, by the terms of which he established
and endowed a perpetual and growing fund
for free scholarships, and tO' aid, when
needed, deserving students.
When Mr. Curtis became a member of
the bar the court docket was full of cases
against the Owl Creek Bank, of Mount Ver-
non, or rather against its members, for it
had no corporate existence. The subject
was finally referred, after many judgments
had been rendered and bills filed, to a special
commissioner and receiver, to which honora-
ble position Mr. Curtis was appointed by the
supreme court. After years of investigation
and arduous labor the intricate affairs of
the bank were brought to a satisfactory con-
clusion. Every dollar of outstanding lia-
bihty was paid and the losses adjusted and
equalized among the several members of the
unfortunate association. Ion acknowledged
principles of equity and justice. Mr. Cur-
tis' proceedings and their results were fully
approved and confirmed by the court, with
flattering commendations. In 1848 he or-
ganized and established the Knox County
Bank, of Mount Vernon, a branch of the
State Bank of Ohio, its capital stock being
one hundred thousand dollars. He was its
president during its existence, nearly twenty
years, and for about the same period was an
active member of the state board of control.
In 1865 he organized the Knox County Na-
tional Bank, of Mount Vernon, capitalized
for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
and continued as its president until his death.
During the Civil war Mr. Curtis was ac-
tive in raising volunteers and assisting in
forming companies and regiments that were
organized in the county. He gave pecuni-
ary aid freely as well as his personal influ-
ence, and often presided at the public meet-
ings called forth by the various successes or
disasters of the Union forces. Holding at the
period of the war the appointment of United
States commissioner for the northern dis-
trict of Ohio, his judicial services were often
required in disposing of cases connected
with the military movements and restraining
the outbreaks of those who, sympathizing
with the south, would sometimes venture to
obstruct the operations of the laws for rais-
ing and organizing troops for the public
service.
Mr. Curtis was acti\-e in every enterprise
for the improvement of Knox county and es-
pecially of Mount Vernon. He drew up its
charter, secured its passage through the leg-
islature and filled its various municipal of-
fices, including those of councilman and
mayor. His taste and study of architecture
enabled him to give shape to many oi the
public buildings, and especially to two suc-
cessive court houses, and to encourage a more
tasteful style of private residences. Dur-
ing his life he constructed many new houses.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
now among the most ornamental and pleas-
ant residences of the city. He was active
in forwarding every railroad enterprise of
his city and was a director of the first rail-
road that entered the city. He was a direc-
tor in the Lake Erie division of the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad at the time of his
death.
In the spring of 1873 he was appointed
by President Grant a member of the board
of visitors at West Point. The board held
daily sessions from the 28th of May until
the 1 2th of June. While in this service Mr.
Curtis learned that some eighty children of
professors, Oifficers and employes at West
Point were destitute of the usual means o-f
common school education, except as a few
had the advantage of private instruction.
Being on a military reserve the jurisdiction
of which belonged to the United States, it
was held that the residents were not included
within the provisions for the benefits of the
common school system of the state. He
therefore introduced and advocated a reso-
lution in the board recommending congress
to make provision for this want by a suitable
appropriation for maintaining at the Point
a common school for the benefit o-f the chil-
dren. The resolution was unanimously
adopted and incorporated in the report.
Mr. Curtis was a man of pronounced
views, possessed of social and genial quali-
ties and ever accessible to the poorest mem-
ber of the community. His beautiful home,
Round Hill, was the seat of elegant refine-
ment and hospitality. The habit of self-
control and the genial disposition which he
ever cultivated made his life a serene and
happy one. Naturally of quick and warm
impulses, he has clearly demonstrated that
"he who governs himself is better than he
who takes a city." He reached the age of
eighty-five, a venerable man, honored and
respected, for his had been an unblemished
character.
W. ROSCOE AND CLARENA BLAIR..
W. Roscoe Blair and his sister, Clar-
ena, occupy one of the fine country resi-
dences of Middlebury township. It is
a very attractive residence, standing in
the midst of an excellent farm and the
interior indicates the skill and systematic
neatness of the sister, while the fields
of waving grain tell to the passer by the
story of the brother's thrift and capabilities
as a farmer.
Mr. Blair was born on the farm where
he now lives August 29, 1858. The family
is of Scotch lineage and was founded in
America at an early day. The grandfather,
William Blair, Sr., was a native of Pennsyl-
vania and became one of the earliest settlers,
of Morrow county, his eldest son, John, be-
ing the first white child born in or near Wat-
erford. Morrow county. His wife, Mary,,
was a native of New Jersey, and in the midst
of the wilderness of the west they estab-
lished a good home and reared their family.
William Blair, Jr., the father of our subject,,
was born and reared in Morrow county and
after arriving at years of maturity married
Miss Sarah Stackhouse, a native of the
Keystone state, where heir girlhood days
were passed. Her father, Benjamin, was
also born there. Aboiit 1857 William and
Sarah Blair came to Knox county, locating
on the farm where their son and daughter
now reside, and there the father died in
1883, when sixty-six years of age, his birth
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
having occurred in 1817. His wife, who
was born in 1820, passed away in 1893.
They were consistent members of the Chris-
tian church and took an active part in its
work, while in his pohtical affiliations Mr.
Blair was a Republican. Their many sterl-
ing traits of character won for them the
warm regard of friends and neighbors. They
had five children, four sons and a daughter,
but two of the sons died in infancy. W.
Roscoe is the youngest of the family. Orrin
Blair, the surviving brother, is a mechanic
in Chicago, Illinois.
W. Roscoe Blair resides with his sister,
Clarena, upon the old family homestead,
where they were reared and in the schools
of the neighborhood they were educated, the
brother also pursuing his studies for a
time in Butler University, at Irvington, a
suburb of Indianapolis, and to some extent
engaged in teaching school. He has since
since been engaged in general farming, cul-
tivating twoi valuable tracts of land, the old
homestead of one, hundred and thirty acres
in Aliddlebury township and a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres in Franklin town-
ship. Morrow county, which was the family
home when the Blairs resided in the latter
county. Each of the farms have a valuable
sugar maple orchard, from which Mr. Blair
annually produces several hundred pounds of
the choicest grade of syrup and cake
sugar. His farming is of a general char-
acter, though special attention is given
to the growing and feeding of stock,
of which he keeps a full supply of
high grade animals. He is energetic, prac-
tical and progressive in his fanning meth-
ods and his labors bring to him handsome
returns. In 1892 he erected a modern res-
idence at a cost of two thousand dollars. It
is one of the most attractive homes of this
part of the county and is tastefully furnished
and \\ell-impro'ved with modern conveni-
ences, J\Ir. Blair is unswendng in his advo-
cacy of its principles of the Republican party
but does not seek office, preferring to gi\-e
his undivided attention to his farm. Both
are active and influential members of the
Christian church and for years both have
taught classes in the Sunday-school. Ever
living in closest filial relation, neither has
yielded to the attentions of others, being
content to retain the unadulterated respect of
a wide circle of stanch friends, than whom
no citizens have more.
WILLIAM HENRY COVER.
On a fine farm of two hundred and fif-
teen acres in Middlebury township, William
H. Cover resides. He is accounted one of
the leading agriculturists of Knox county
and for a quarter of a century was exten-
sively and successfully engaged in stock
raising, feeding and shipping. He was born
in Perry township, Richland county. Janu-
ary 15, 1841, and is of German lineage, the
family having been founded in America by
two brothers John and Jacob Cover. The
latter settled in Pennsylvania, while the
former, who was the grandfather of our
subject, took up his abode in Frederick coun-
ty, Maryland.
It was there that Daniel Cover, the father
of our subject, was born, on the 15th of
January, 1802. He grew to manhood there
and there wedded Miss Lydia Stephenson,
also a native of Frederick county, and of
English parentage, who, upon coming to
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
23
America, settled in IMaryland. Her father
was a slaveholder, but at death liberated all
of his slaves. Both he and his wife were
members of the Methodist church. Airs.
Cover was educated in a Catholic convent,
where she acquired a superior education, and
was a lady of culture and vmusual intelli-
gence. About 1820 Rev. Daniel Cover
brought his family to Ohio, which was
then just emerging from conditions of
a wilderness of streams and forest. He
secured land in Perry township, Rich-
land county, where he engaged in farming
throughout his remaining days, his death
occurring when he was fifty-five years
of age. He was a minister of the United
Brethren church and in the midst of the
arduous duties of the farm found time
to devote to the cause of the church, preach-
ing in- log school houses and churches
throughout northwest Ohio, thus spreading
the gospel among the pioneer settlers. His
influence was widely felt, the world being
made better by his having lived. His wife,
a most estimable lady, long survived her hus-
band, dying at the age of eighty-two. Of
their ten children, all were married and five
are still living, namely: Upton A., of Fred-
ericktown; William H. ; John W. ; Perry D.,
of Riverside, California; and Mary, the wife
of George Biddle, of Morrow county, Ohio'.
Those who have passed away are : Jason J.,
who was a merchant of Johnsville, Ohio;
Josiah, who had extensive vineyards in Cal-
ifornia, but lived retired in his later years;
Thomas W., who was a prosperous, popular
and widely-known citizen of California and
who was probably lost in the great American
desert in that state; Martha and Eliza Jane.
Like the other members of the family
William H. Cover was reared upon his fa-
ther's farm of eighty acres in Perry town-
ship, Richland county, Ohio, early became
familiar with the work of the fields; and be-
tween the ages of fifteen and twenty-five
3ears managed the farm and its cultivation.
During the Civil war he enlisted in Company
B, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio In-
fantry, and served four months.
On the 28th of December, 1S65, Mr.
Cover was united in marriage toi Miss Mary
E. Coursen, who was born in Jefferson
township, Richland county, and was the only
daughter O'f William and Matilda (Walters)
Coursen. Her father was born in Genesee
county, New York, and became a prominent
pioneer farmer and stock dealer of Richland
county, Ohio. He went to that county when
fourteen years of age and located on Clear
Fork, in Jefferson township, where he won
a place among the leading and influential
citizens of the community. He died in
1897, ^t the age of eighty-two years, and
his wife passed away in March, 1901, at
the age of eighty-three. They were the par-
ents of two sons, and Mrs. Cover was their
only daughter.
For two years after his marriage Mr.
Cover remained in Richland county and in
1867 came to Knox county, settling on the
farm where he now lives. He made most
of the improvements upon the place and was
the first man to engage in breeding and deal-
ing in draft horses and sheep, a business in
which he has retained an interest to the
present, upward of a quarter of a century.
His farm contains two hundred and fifteen
acres of valuable land, and he owns also a
tract of sixty acres in Richland county and
is interested financially in a farm in Mor-
row county.
In 1 90 1 Mr. Cover was called upon to
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the
30th of April of that year. They were then
living in Bellville, whither they had gone
that she might care for her aged mother,
who passed away on the 30th of March,
1901, only a month before her daughter's
death. Mrs. Cover was a most devoted wife
and was a faithful working member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, taking an ac-
tive interest in its various departments.
Her youth was passed in luxury', her father
having been one of the wealthiest men of
his community. She took a keen interest
in all business in which her husband en-
gaged, her practical common sense being a
desirable balance wheel to his more venture-
some spirit. She delighted in fine stock, be-
ing an excellent judge of their good points
and took keen enjoyment in driving behind
a spirited team. Ever actuated by the most
exalted ideas of a true Christian life, she
was alert to the distress of those less fav-
ored, her constant acts of kindness and un-
ostentatious charity winning the warmest
affection of all with whom she was brought
in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Cover having no
children of their own they reared an adopted
daughter, Ola May Williams, who came to
them when but four years old. She is now
the wife of Jay Stillwell and has three chil-
dren, Cover, Mary E. and Silvie.
The intimacy existing between her and
her foster parents has been of the closest
and most sympathetic character, a mutual
appreciation being manifest upon all occa-
sions.
In his political views Mr. Cover is a
stanch Republican and has served as town-
ship trustee. His life has been a busy and
useful one and through his own efforts he
has gained prosperity, placing his depend-
ence on the substantial qualities of industry,,
perseverance and honorable dealing.
DAVID WILLITS.
Death often removes from our midst
those whom we can ill afford to lose, but the
regret is not without some softening influ-
ence when the life that is ended has been an
honorable one, leaving behind it a memory
of much that was true, noble and commenda-
ble. Such was the career of David Willits,
whose business career was crowned with
success and whose genuine worth gained for
him the unqualified regard of those with
whom he came in contact. He was born in
Knox county and when a boy was left an
orphan, after which he was reared by his
uncle, Eli Willits. The success he gained
was the outcome of his own industry and
business management. He pursued his edu-
cation in the common schools near his home
and afterward continued his studies in Del-
aware College. Later he engaged in teach-
ing in Butler township and was ever a warm
friend of education, realizing how import-
ant is broad mental training in the active
and practical affairs of life.
In the house where his widow is now liv-
ing Mr. Willits was married, the lady of his
choice being Lucy M. Markley, who was
bom in a log cabin upon her present farm
November 6, 1827. Her father, Henry
Markley, was a native of Pennsylvania and
his father became one of the pioneer settlers
of Knox county, where he owned many acres
of land in Berlin township, entering much of
this from the government. He gave farms
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
to all of his children and performed an im-
portant part in the early development of the
county and in laying broad and deep the
foundation for its present prosperity and
progress. His son, Henry Markley, was a
young man when he came from the Key-
stone state to Ohio, and in the midst of the
wilderness cleared and improved the farm
which is nO'W occupied by Mrs. Willits.
There he kept bachelor's hall until his mar-
riage, to Miss Sally Norton, who was born
in Connecticut and in early girlhood came
with her parents to Ohio. After long iden-
tification with the agricultural interests of
Knox county, Mr. Markley was called to
his final rest, passing away when about six-
ty-three years of age. His wife, surviving
him some time, was more than seventy years
of age at the time of her death. They had
two daughters, but Cordelia, the elder, is
now deceased, so that Mrs. Willits is now
the only member of the family in the county.
She was reared in Berlin township and gave
her hand in marriage first to James Hender-
son, becoming the wife of Mr. Willits after
the death of her first husband. Throughout
her entire life she has lived upon one farm
with the exception of two years spent in
Fredericktown. She still owns the old
homestead, comprising ninety-two acres
which, under a system of cultivation, has
been made a very valuable property.
Mr. Willits was also twice married. He
first wedded Martha Jane Dennis, and unto
them^ were born two children : Harriet EI-
ma, the wife of George Foote, by whom she
has five children^ — Herbert, Lucy, Anna, Da-
vid and Wilber; and Walter W., who mar-
ried Flora Algire. They also have five chil-
dren— Bernard, Ray, Willie, Earl and Ho-
bart.
2
Throughout the greater part of his life
Mr. Willits followed agricultural pursuits
and his industry and capable management
resulted in the production of good crops. In
politics he was a stanch Republican, voting
for Lincoln in i860 and 1864, and for every
candidate of the party since that time. He
was serving as township appraiser at the
time of his death and previously he had
served as township trustee, was twice as-
sessor and filled other local positions in a
prompt and faithful manner. He held mem-
bership in the Presbyterian church and
served as one of its deacons, and his Chris-
tian faith permeated his entire life. He
died February 18, 1900, in his sixty-seventh
year, leaving behind him the priceless herit-^
age of an untarnished name, which is rather
to be chosen than great riches. His widow
still resides upon the farm where she was
born. Having always lived in Knox county
she is widely known. She is one of the oldest
residents of the township in years of continu-
ous connection therewith and has witnessed
much of the growth and development which
has wrought such a wonderful transforma-
tion in the county. She has a large circle of
friends and in the annals of her native local-
ity well deserves mention.
WILLIAM L. SCHROEDER.
Horticultural pursuits are successfully
followed in central Ohio, excellent peach
and apple orchards showing how well
adapted is soil and climate to the production
of these as well as other fruits. Among
those who are now devoting their energies to
the raisins: of fruit as well as the cultivation
26
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
of grain in Knox county is William L.
Schroeder, who resides in Middlebury tOAvn-
ship. Year by year he is adding to his cap-
ital as the result of his diligence and business
ability, and well deserves mention among
the self-made men of the locality.
Mr. Schroeder is a native son of Knox
county, his birth having occurred in the vil-
lage of Fredericktown August 31, 1846.
His father, Israel Scliroeder, was a native of
York county, Pennsylvania, and when a
young man he left the Keystone state for
Ohio, where he met and married Susan
Wagner, a sister of Henry Wagner, an en-
ierprising farmer of this community. She
was born in Pennsylvania and lived to be
thirty-five years of age, dying when Will-
iam was a child of eighteen months. After
iher death the father wedded Nellie Mc-
Millen. He was a chair-maker by trade and
carried on that business for a number of
years in Fredericktown, but after his sec-
ond marriage he located on a small farm in
Middlebury township. His last days, how-
'Cver, were passed in Richland county, where
lie died at the age of seventy years. He was
a member of the Disciples church and took
an active part in church work, doing all in
liis power to extend the influence of the
cause. He voted with the Danocracy and
his career was one of the highest respectabil-
ity. In his family were three sons and four
■daughters, of whom two died in infancy,
-while four are still living, namely : Daniel,
Wadey, Charlotte and William L.
The last named is the yotmgest of the
living children and was only eighteen
months old when his mother died. He then
went to live with his uncle, Henry Wagner,
■with whom he remained until twenty-two
years' of age. He attended the district
schools, thereby acquiring knowledge that
fitted him for the practical and responsible
duties of life and his practical training at
farm work well qualified him for carrying
on agricutural pursuits when he started out
upon an independent career. When attend-
ing schools among the students in the same
district was a little girl named Louisa Al-
verson. The acquaintance of their child-
hood was continued after they put aside
their text-books and eventually ripened into
love, which was consummated by their mar-
riage March 30, 1869. The lady is a native
of Middlebury township and a daughter of
Tliomas and Lucinda Alverson. The father
was a native of Vermont, but was reared in
Essex county. New York, and came to
Knox coimty in an early day.
They began their domestic life upon a
rented farm in Middlebury township, where
they remained for seventeen years, on the
expiration of which period Mr. Schroeder
purchased his present place, on which he has
since resided. He has made most of the im-
provements thereon, cleared most of the
land and has transformed it into a very val-
uable property. He carries on general farm-
ing but makes a specialty of horticultural
pursuits and has upon his farm about four-
teen hundred peach trees, which in 1901
bore a crop estimated at two thousand bush-
els, while other fruit trees produced pro-
portionately. His is one of the leading fruit
farms of this part of the state. He has
made a close study of the best methods of
cultivating fruit, and his knowledge, put to
the practical test in his care of his orchards
has resulted in making this branch of his
business quite profitable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were born
five children : Cora, the wife of Louis Vale,
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
by whom she has five children — Bert, Jesse,
Samuel, Evis and Nellie; Charles William,
who married Sadie Rowley; George, de-
ceased; Glenn Thomas, who wedded Mattie
Vance; and Mary Lucinda, who^ is at home
with her parents upon the farm of one hun-
dred acres, which has for a number of years
been the property of Mr. Schroeder. He
votes with the Republican party and never
has wavered in his allegiance to its princi-
ples and platform. For three years he
served as township trustee and for the long
period of twenty-eight years was road su-
pervisor. He has always held some local
office in the township, for his fellow towns-
men, recognizing his ability and fidelity,
continually keep him in a place of public
trust. He belongs to the Waterford Grange
at Batemantown and is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Such in brief
is the history of one who throughout his
entire career has been an active, energetic
business man, a trusted public servant and
a faithful friend — worthy of the regard of
his associates.
ROBERT C. KIRK.
An enumeration of the men of Ohio who
have won honor and public recognition for
themselves and at the same time have hon-
ored the state to which they belong would be
incomplete were there failure to make prom-
inent reference to the Hon. Robert Crothers
Kirk. He held distinctive precedence in
Republican circles and became a co-worker
and counsellor of some of the most distin-
guished representatives of the party in the
nation. He held positions of prominence, in
all of which his course was characterized by
a masterful understanding of the problems
presented and by a patriotic devotion to
those measures which he believed conducive
to the public good. His public career cov-
ered a long period and he was ever fearless
in conduct, faultless in honor and stainless
in reputation.
Mr. Kirk was numbered among Olrio's
native sons, his birth having occurred in
Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, on the
26th of February, 1S21. His father, Eli
Kirk, was a native of Washington county,
Pennsylvania, and like many residents of
that state was connected with the Society of
Friends. His business was that of farming,
and he died in 1838. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of Martha Crothers, was
also a member of the Society of Friends and
a native of Washington county, where her
people had located in pioneer days, her fam-
ily being one of prominence there.
In the common schools Robert C. Kirk
began his education, which was continued in
the Ohio University, at Athens. Later he
took up the study of medicine under Dr.
William Hamilton, of Mount Pleasant, and
subsequently entered the medical department
of the University of Pennsylvania, at Phil-
adelphia, completing the course at the age
of twenty years. Locating in Fulton county,
Illinois, he practiced there for a short time,
but in 1843 returned to Ohio and abandoned
the profession. In 1844 he formed a part-
nership with T. W. Rogers and engaged
in the dry goods business in Mount Vernon,
the relation being maintained until Mr. Rog-
ers' death, when Mr. Kirk formed a part-
nership with his father-in-law, John Hogg,
thus carrying on business until 1853, when
they sold out. In 1857 Mr. Kirk went to
Winona, Minnesota, where he followed the
28
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
real-estate business in partnership with his
brother, Timothy Kirk, but after a year he
once more came back to^ his native state and
continuously resided in Mount Vernon, ex-
cepting only the period when he was abroad
as the representative of the government,
from 1858 until his death, which occurred in
189S, when he was seventy-seven years of
age.
Mr. Kirk's political career was one of
unqualified honor because of his marked fi-
delity to duty and the important work which
he accomplished for the nation. In 1856 he
was elected on the Republican ticket to the
Ohio state senate, where he served for one
term. In 1859 he was elected lieutenant
governor with William Dennison at the head
of the ticket, and in 1862 he was appointed
by President Lincoln minister to the Argen-
tine Republic, Paraguay and Uruguay. Dur-
ing his residence at Buenos Ayres he suc-
cessfully collected the old claims, dating
from 1 8 14, due to American citizens and
amounting to over four hundred thousand
dollars, claims which former ministers had
abandoned. He was alsO' instrumental in
having over nineteen thousand dollars raised
in Buenos Ayres and sent to Mr. BelloAvs,
president of the sanitary commission for
the benefit of Union soldiers. In 1866 he
resigned and returned to Ohio, but in 1869
he was reappointed by President Grant, as
minister to the Argentine Republic and filled
the position until 1871, when he once more
resigned. His course awakened greater
honor and respect for his country than had
ever been felt in that part of South America,
for he fully sustained the dignity of his na-
tive land while at the same time promoting
its interests in every way possible. His di-
plomacy, his thorough understanding of the
questions affecting the relation of the two
governments, his tactful skill in handling
foreign relations all won for him the favora-
ble comment of the South American nation
as well as of his own countrymen and re-
flected-credit upon the land which he rep-
resented. On the 5th of February, 1871,
Mr. Kirk was appointed by President Grant
■collector of internal revenue for the thir-
teenth district of Ohio- and thus served until
the office was abolished by consolidation
with the district of Columbus. Mr. Kirk
then lived in retirement until his death, su-
perintending his property interests.
In Mount Pleasant, Ohio, Mr. Kirk was
married to Eleanor Hogg, daughter of John
Hogg, of that city. Her father was a very
successful merchant and business man and
in many towns made judicious and profitable
investments in real estate so that he accu-
mulated a large fortune. He was born on
Chesterly street, near Newcastle on the
Tyne, England. He had six sisters : Mrs.
Elizabeth Curtis, wife of Henry B. Curtis;
Mrs. Timothy Rogers; Mrs. Updegraff;
Mrs, Susan Rogers; Mrs. Margaret Sher-
man, the wife of John Shennan, of
Mount Vernon; and Mrs. Isabel Mo-
zier, the wife of the celebrated Amer-
ican sculptor. William Hogg, an uncle
of John Hogg, sold to Gambler Col-
lege eight thousand acres of land for twen-
ty-four thousand dollars and gave to^ the
college six thousand dollars. Mr. and Mrs.
Kirk were the jiarents of four sons, John E.
(deceased), Desault B. ; William H. and
Gersham P., twins, the former now deceased.
When very young John E. joined the Nine-
ty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served
with great gallantry throughout the war and
was mustered out as a second lieutenant.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
He is now deceased. The second marriage
of ]\Ir. Kirk occurred August 31, 1893, when
Miss Ahce V. Hutchinson became his wife.
In his social relations Mr. Kirk was a
Mason and attained the Knight Templar
degree in that fraternity. He was also iden-
tified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and held membership in the Epis-
copal church. He recognized his obliga-
tions to his fellow men and met them. His
strong mentality gave him a clear conception
of his duty in every relation of life, and it
\vas faithfully discharged. Men of learning,
including those who guided the ship of state,
recognized his ability, his value and his pa-
triotism and honored and trusted him ac-
cordingly and thus he left the impress of his
individuality upon the welfare of state and
nation.
DESAULT B. KIRK.
With the business, professional and in-
tellectual activities which push forward the
wheels of progress in Mount Vernon and
Knox county Desault B. Kirk is connected,
and while his efiforts have contributed to
his own prosperity they have also been of
such a nature as to further advance the gen-
eral welfare. Throughout almost his entire
life he has been a resident of Mount Vernon,
which is his native city. He is a graduate
of Kenyon College, and after completing
his literary course he took up the study of
law in the Harvard Law School, being thus
prepared for active work at the bar. He
chose a profession in which, his father's
prominence and position would avail him
naught, for in no calling does advancement
depend so largely upon individual effort and
merit as in the field of jurisprudence. He
completed his law studies with the firm of
Scribner & Hurd, of Toledo, and for a short
time was in partnership with them. He also
entered into partnership with A. R. Mcln-
tire, and with the passing years his experi-
ence in legal work secured him a creditable
position as a practitioner. He next became
interested in the firm of C. & G. Cooper &
Company and upon the organization of the
C. & G. Cooper Company he became treas-
urer and has since served in that capacity.
He is also one of its directors, but his busi-
ness relations do not end here for he is the
vice-president of the Mount Vernon Gas
Company and vice-president and trustee of
the Knox National Bank.
Mr. Kirk was united in marriage to Miss
Mae Cooper, a daughter of Charles Cooper,
and unto them have been born the following
children : Isabel Cooper, the wife of Ben-
jamin Ames, a, grandson of Columbus De-
lano; Eleanor Hogg, wife of Professor I.
Griffith Ames, professor of English in the
Illinois College, of Jacksonville, that state,
and also a grandson of Columbus Delano;
Robert C, now of Detroit, Michigan, who is
a graduate of Kenyon Preparatory School
and Military Academy ; and Charles Cooper,
a student in Shattuck School. The mother
died in 1887.
Mr. Kirk is a trustee of Kenyon College
and since its organization he has been con-
nected with the public library of Mount Ver-
non, whose interests have been greatly pro-
moted through his efiforts. He is deeply in-
terested in the welfare of all measures and
movements tending to promote the general
progress and his native city finds him one
of its most helpful sons. He is identified
with the vario'US bodies of Masonrv, also
30
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and
belongs to the Episcopalian church, in which
he is the senior warden and vestryman. De-
pending not upon the prestige which his
fathers name and position would have given
him Desault B. Kirk has relied upon the
more substantial qualities of earnest pur-
pose, untiring effort and careful preparation
for his life work and has accomplished
much in the business world.
FRED D. SIMONS.
Fred D. Simons is one of the most ac-
tive, enterprising and prosperous business
men of Knox county. Success comes not to
the man who idly waits, but to the faithful
toiler whose work is characterized by intelli-
gence and force; it comes only to the man
who has the foresight and keenness of men-
tal vision to know when and how and where
to exert his energies, and thus it happens
that but a small proportion of those who
enter the "world's broad field of battle"
come off victors in the struggle for wealth
and position, but with marked ability to im-
prove his opportunities Mr. Simons has
steadily advanced to a foremost position
among substantial citizens in his part of the
county.
He was born in Fredericktown February
8, i860, and belongs to one of the old fam-
ilies of the state. His father, ' Monroe J.
Simons, was a native of Homer, Licking
county, Ohio'. born July 6, 1832, and was a
son of Horton J. and Elizabeth (Dill) Si-
mons. He was reared in his native town,
where his father was engaged in mercantile
pursuits. On starting out upon his business
career Monroe J. Simons was employed for
a few months in a store in Newark, Ohio,
and then came to Fredericktown, where he
was employed as a salesman in the store of
C. E. Hooker. His aptitude for business
and his trustworthiness soon gained his em-
ployer's confidence and after a short time
he was admitted tO' a partnership. Before
he had attained the age oi thirty he was sole
proprietor of the enterprise and for thirty-
three years successfully conducted the store,
enjoying a very liberal and profitable pat-
ronage. In the later years of his life he
was engaged in the grain trade until, on the
8th of September, 1897, he was smothered
in a wheat bin. He had long been accounted
one of the most valued residents of the com-
munity and his death was deeply mourned.
His political support was given the Repub-
lican party and he stanchly advocated its
interests. Although not a politician in the
sense of office-seeking, his fellow townsmen
frequently solicited him to accept office and
he served as township treasurer and as a
member of the town council and of the
school board. Fraternally he was con-
nected with the Masonic order and attained
the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite
in Ohio Consistory. His religious faith
was indicated by his membership in the
Presbyterian church. His wife, who bore
the niaiden name of Alice Smith, still sur-
vives her husband. She was born in Cana-
da in 1836 while her parents were natives
of England. Her father died when she was
only tw"o years old and she was then reared
by C. R. Hooker and was usually known by
the name of Alice Hooker. She is a most
estimable lady and makes her home in Fred-
ericktown. In the family are three children
living: Fred D., Charles and John B.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
, In his parents home Fred D. Simons
spent the period of his minority and in his
early youth attended the pubHc schools, but
at the age of sixteen he put aside his text-
books and entered his father's store, where
he was engaged in clerking for six years.
After his marriage he located on the farm
where he now resides — a tract of land of
one hundred and sixty acres — and there for
a number of years he was extensively and
successfully engaged in farming, but about
three years ago he abandoned agricultural
pursuits and has since given his attention
to dealing in horses. In 1892 he became a
partner in his father's grain business, becom-
ing sole owner after the latter's death, but
later disposed of it. He has carefully con-
ducted his varied interests and his sound
business judgment has brought to him very
gratifying prosperity. In 1896 he erected
upon his farm a very fine residence, hardly
surpassed in the county, and there his fam-
ily reside, surrounded with all the comforts
that gO' to make life worth the living.
On the 22d of March, 1882, Mr. Simons
was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E.
Lyon, a native of this town and a daughter
of Isaac A. and Harriet (Craven) Lyon,
both natives of Knox county. The Craven
family is one of the oldest here, the grand-
father and the great-grandfather of Mrs.
Simons both having resided in this county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simons have been born
two children : Alice G., who was born April
16, 1883, and Hoy Orton, born November
I, 1884. The mother and daughter hold
membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr.
Simons belongs to Thrall Lodge No. 170,
F. & A. M. and he and his wife are members
of Ann Hill Chapter, No. 81, 0-. E. S. The
family is one of prominence in the commun-
ity and the hospitality of the best homes of
this part of the county is freely extended to
them. In his political views Mr. Simons
is a Republican and keeps well informed on
the issues of the day, but has never aspired
to office, preferring to devote his time and
energies to his business interests, which have
been managed so ably that they have been
crowned with a high degree of prosperity.
GEORGE W. YAUGER.
The most enduring monument which
can be erected to the memory of loved ones
is not made of marble or granite, for time
crumbles these away; and precious as are
the cherished memories in the heart s of
friends, within a few years these associates
will be sleeping in the silent churchyard.
Naught endures save the written record, the
pages glowing with the records of the noble
life and kindly deeds — these alone hand
down to generations of the future the his-
tory of the past, of the hardy pioneers whose
brave patriotism and undaunted hearts paved
the way to prosperity and civilization.
One of the manly, respected citizens of
Knox county was George W. Yauger, whose
birth occurred in Morris county, New York,
October 2^, 1832. He was one of five chil-
dren of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wolf) Yau-
ger. The father, who was of German de-
scent, was a native of New Jersey, and
came with his family to Ohio about 1839,
living for one year on the old Delaware
road, six miles from Mount Vernon. After-
ward they removed to Hilliar township, two
miles north of Centerburg. The father was
a carpenter by trade and spent much of his
32
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
time engaged at that occupation, while his
sons conducted the farm. In 1850 the fam-
ily removed to Clinton township, purchasing
thirty acres of the present homestead, two
rtiiles west of Mount Vernon, where both
passed away in death. After his parents'
death our subject came into possession of
this tract, while his brother, Garrison, in-
herited the farm in Hilliar township. In
subsequent years Mr. Yauger, of this re-
view, became one of the well-known and
leading men of Mount Vernon. He in-
creased his realty holdings to two hundred
acres, and later in life he made a specialty of
the raising of celery, finding a ready sale for
this product at Mount Vernon.
On the 5th oi February, 1862, he was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah T. Lha-
rfion, of Pleasant township, Kno'X county,
and a daughter of William and Esther
(Melker) Lhamon, who came from Vir-
ginia to the Buckeye state at a time when the
country south of Mount Vernon was an un-
broken wilderness. On the loth of July,
1879, the loving companion and helpmate
was called to her final rest, leaving seven
children : Augustus W. ; George E. ; Samuel
W. ; Nora E., the wife of Norman C. Hook-
w^ay ; Sarah A., the wife of Fred Ball; Clara
E., the wife of William S. Gaff; and Rev.
Frank A., of the Congregational ministry.
In August. 1 88 1, Mr. Yauger married
Miss Lydia Lhamon. a sister of his former
wife, who still survives him. Mr. Yauger
was a Democrat in his political views, and
from early manhood was a member of the
Baptist church. On the 21st of April, 1900,
he answered the summons to the better land.
His kindness of heart was shown not only
by words of sympathy but by acts of unos-
tentatious benevolence. In business circles
he was noted and respected for his great in-
dustry, energy, punctuality and his honor-
able and systematic methods — all of which
contributed to a large success, which he
richly deserved.
Jennie Bowden, now a young lady, has
been a member of the Yauger family since
a child of nine years coming to them at her
mother's death. Charles M. Porter has also
for some years been an important factor in
the operation of the home farm.
COL. WILLIAM C. COOPER.
William C. Cooper is one of the most
conspicuous figures in the history of juris-
prudence in Knox count)^, nor is his repu-
tation limited by its boundaries, for
throughout the state he has won distinction
by reason of marked ability. He entered
upon practice more than thirty-five years
ago and his success came soon because his
equipment was unusually good, he having
been a close and earnest student of the
fundamental principles of the law. Nature
endowed him with strong intellectual pow-
ers and he has acquired that persistent en-
ergy and close application without which
there is no success. A man of sound judg-
ment he manages his cases with masterly
skill and tact; is a logical reasoner and has
a ready command of English. His powers
as an advocate have been demonstrated by
his success on many occasions and he is an
able lawyer of large and varied experience
in all the courts. Thoroughness character-
■izes all his eflorts and he conducts all his
business with a strict regard to a high
standard of professional ethics.
^ ■ Ce. ■ ^ ^^—rr^.^
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
The ancestral history of Mr. Cooper in
the paternal line is purely American for
many generations remote, while on the ma-
ternal side he is of Scotch-Irish lineage.
Prior to the establishment of the family in
Ohio his grandfather, Daniel Cooper, and
his father, Thompson Cooper, resided in
Pennsylvania, both being natives of Butler
county, that state, whence they came to
Mount Vernon in the year 1806. Daniel
Cooper entered the army in- the war of 18 12
and, holding the rank of captain, rendered
valuable service to his country in her sec-
ond war with England. He continued his
residence in Knox county until his death,
which occurred in 1841. Thompson Coop-
er, the father of our subject, was but a
boy when the family came to Ohio, and
therefore was reared amid the wild scenes
and circumstances of pioneer life. As the
years progressed he took his place among
the leaders of thought and action in the
county and was very prominent and influen-
tial in public affairs. For thirty years he
served as justice of the peace and for eight
yearsi was mayor of Mount Vernon, his
long continuance in office indicating unmis-
takably the high place which he occupied in
the public regard. His career was above re-
proach, his public faithfulness being
equalled by the probity and uprightness of
his private life. He was serving as mayor
at the time o^f his death in 1863, and it is
safe to say that no citizen of Mount Vernon
has been more widely or deeply mourned.
He married Rebecca Craig, a native of
Washington county, Pennsylvania, who
possessed the strong traits of character of
her Scotch ancestry, thrift, perseverance, un-
faltering honesty and conscientiousness.
She endeavored tO' impress upon the minds
of her children lessons of industry and
truth, thus preparing them with the fortifi-
cations of an upright character to meet the
battles of life.
During his youth Mr. Cooper enjoyed
instruction in private schools and in Mount
Vernon Academy, and through the months
of summer assisted in the work of the home
farm, developing thereby the strong phys-
ical powers which have formed the basis of
his work, enabling him to carry on the men-
tal activity so necessary to success at the
bar. In early life it became his strong de-
sire to enter the legal profession and to this
end he began study under the direction of
Joseph W. Vance and James Smith, Jr.
When twenty-two years of age he was ad-
mitted to the bar and soon afterward en-
tered into partnership with his former pre-
ceptor, Mr. Vance, this relation being main-
tained until the death of Mr. Vance, who
was killed on the field of battle. Soon after
the inauguration of the Civil war they
closed their office and entered their coun-
try's service, Mr. Vance becoming a colonel.
He was commanding his regiment at the
t'ime he was killed. Mr. Cooper was among
the first to enlist in defense of the starry
banner of the nation, becoming first lieuten-
ant of Company B, Fourth Ohio Infantry,
with which he continued in active service
until the following January, when he re-
signed in order to attend to the business of
the firm and important personal matters.
Early in 1864, however, he returned to the
service for one hundred days as colonel of
the One Hundred and Forty-sceond Ohio
Volunteers, with which he particiipated in
the Petersburg campaign.
At the conclusion of his second term
j Mr. Cooper returned home and resumed the
34
A CEXTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
practice of law alone. Later he was for
two years in partnership with Henry T.
Porter and for eight years was at the head
of the firm of Cooper, Porter & Mitchell.
He is remarkable among lawyers for the
wide research and provident care with
which he prepares his cases. In no instance
has his reading ever been confined to the
limitations of the questions at issue; it has
gone beyond and compassed every contin-
gency and provided not alone for the ex-
pected, but for the unexpected, which hap-
pens in the courts quite as frequently as out
of them. His logical grasp of facts and
principles of the law applicable to them
has been another potent element in his suc-
cess, and a remarkable cleverness of expres-
sion, an adequate and precise diction, which
enables him to make others understand not
only the salient points of his argument, but
his every fine gradation of meaning, may
be accounted one of his most conspicuous
gifts and accomplishments. He is quick to
master all the intricacies in a case and grasp
all details, 'at the same time losing sight of
none of the essential points upon which the
decision of every case finally turns. His
fidelity to his clients' interests is proverbial,
yet he never forgets that he owes a higher
allegiance to the majesty of the law. His
diligence and energy in the preparation of
his cases, as well as the earnestness, tenacity
and courage with which he defends the
right as he understands it, challenges the
highest admiration of his associates. Yet he
scorns the glittering chaplet of forensic tri-
umph if it must be gained by debasing him-
self, debauching public morality or degrad-
ing the dignity of his profession.
The name of Mr. Cooper figures promi-
nently in connection with the history of the
Republican party in Ohio, for, though he
has never been a politician in the sense of
office seeking, his opinlions carry weight in
the councils of his party and he is a director
of public thought and feeling. Prior to the
Civil war Colonel Cooper held the office of
prosecuting attorney for four years. In
i860 he was elected mayor of Mount Ver-
non and served for two consecutive terms.
In 1 87 1 he was chosen to represent his dis-
trict in the state legislature and at the close
of the term declined a second election. He
was for six years president of the board of
education of Mount Vernon and for five
years was advocate general of the state of
Ohio. These are the only civil offices held
by him until he was elected to the Forty-
ninth congress in 1884. In 1886 and again
in 1888 he was re-elected. His reputation
as a lawyer gave him a standing which was
maintained and advanced by the wisdom of
his counsel in the committee-room and his
power in debate on the floor. He was not
only a very able, but also a very useful mem-
ber and he served on some of the most im-
portant committees of the house. During
his first term the bill providing for the or-
der of succession in the office of president
was passed and he was a member of the
committee in charge of the bill. His argu-
ment on the subject was masterly and patri-
otic. He was influential on the committees
on elections, on territories, on banking and
on currency. He managed several cam-
paigns as chairman of the Republican state
central committee and was the representa-
tive of the Republican party in Ohio in the
national committee from 1876 until 1884,
during the period of greatest contention in
the party, and was a defegate to the national
convention in 1872 and 1880.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1195030
In January, 1864, Mr. Cooper was
united in marriage to Miss Eliza Russell, a
daughter of Dr. John W. Russell, a phj^sii-
cian of prominence, who' for sixty years
practiced his profession in Mount Ver-
non. TwO' daughters were born unto
them. Mr. Cooper's social relations con-
nect him with the Grand Army of the
Republic and he has twice represented
his state in the national encampment.
His citizenship has ever been charac-
terized by unswerving loyalty to the best
interests of city, state and nation and
by mastery of every subject upon which his
actions could have direct or indirect bear-
ing; socially he is most popular, for he is
genial, courteous and kindly, and true merit
can always win his friendship; profession-
ally he is most talented and prominent, his
comprehensive understanding of the prin-
ciples of jurisprudence, combined with his
logic and power in argument, rendering him
one of the most able members of the Ohio
bar. Such is the life record of one who for
seventy years has been an honored resident
of Mount Vernon.
I ALEXANDER CRITCHFIELD.
Throughout his entire life Alexander
Critchfield has been a resident of Knox
county, and has been identified with many
of the interests that have contributed tO' its
substantial development and improvement.
His probity, fidelity and sterling worth have
won him the unqualified confidence O'f his
fellow townsmen, and his pathway is now
brightened by the love and respect which
should ever follow an upright career.
Mr. Critchfield was born upon the farm
where he now resides, September 11, 1845.
His father, Jesse Critchfield, claimed Penn-
sylvania as the state of his nativity, but in.
an early day he came to Knx>x county, Ohio,
where his death occurred when he was yet
in the prime of life, passing away at the age
of fifty-eight years. The mother of our sub-
ject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth
Mowrey, and she, too, was born in the Key-
stone state. She reached the ripe old age
of eighty-nine years. This worthy couple
became the parents of thirteen children, of
whom our subject was the eleventh in order
of birth. His youth was spent in the usual
manner of farmer lads of the period, de-
voting his time during the summer months
to the work of the farm and in the winter
season he attended the common schools of
the neighborhood. In 1862, when but seven-
teen years of age, he enlisted for service in
the Civil war, entering Company F, One
Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, in which he served until the close
of hostilities. During his career as a soldier
he took part in the Atlanta campaign, was
with Sherman on his celebrated march to
the sea, and took part in the last battle
fought at 'Bentonville, North Carolina.
From that place they went to Richmond and
then on to Washington, D. C, where they
participated in the grand review, the grand-
est military pageant ever witnessed on the
western hemisphere. Receiving an honora-
ble discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on
the 22d of July, 1865, Mr. Critchfield then
returned tOi his home and again took up the
quiet duties of farm life. After his father's
death he purchased the interest of the other
heirs in the old homestead, and has there re-
sided throughout his entire life. He now
36
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR\'
owns one hundred acres of fertile and well
improved land, on which he has erected com-
modious and substantial buildings, and his
is now one of the most valuable homesteads
of its size in the locality. He is engaged
in the raising of the cereals best adapted to
this soil aaid climate, and his efforts in the
line of his chosen vocation are bringing to
him, a high and well merited degree of pros-
perity.
January 12, 1867, Mr. Critchfield was
united in marriage to Tilda Humbert, a na-
tive of Howard to^vnship, Knox county, and
they have one daughter, Emma, the wife of
Frank Mavis. They make their home upon
the old family homestead with her parents.
Mrs. Critchfield's parents, John and Susanna
Humbert, came from Pennsylvania, their
native state, to Knox county, Ohio, in a very
early day, and they became prominent and
leading citizens of their locality. They were
the parents of thirteen children, Mrs. Critch-
field being the seventh in order of birth. Our
subject maintains pleasant relations with
his old army comrades through his member-
ship with LeRoy Baker Post, No. 120, G.
A. R;, in which he is now serving as senior
vice commander. His political support is
given to the Republican party, and at all
times he is a progressive and public-spirited
citizen who takes a deep interest in every-
thing pertaining to the welfare of the com-
munitv.
GEORGE H. SPRY.
George H. Spry has almost reached the
eightieth milestone on life's journey and
throughout the long period has resided in
Knox county, being to-day one of its hon-
ored and respected citizens, enjoying the re-
gard of young and old, rich and poor. He
was born in Monroe township, August 12,
1822, his parents being Perry and Mary
(Chadwick) Spry, who were pioneer set-
tlers of the county, where the father fol-
lowed farming at an early day.
It was upon the old family homestead
that the subject of this review spent the days
of his boyhood and youth, working in the
fields and meadows, early becoming an ac-
tive factor in the development and cultiva-
tion 'of his father's land. His labor in this
direction, however, brought to him the prac-
tical experience which enabled him to carry
on the business successfully when he started
out upon an independent career. Like most
young men who begin work for themselves
he desired a home of his own and on the
30th of October, 1851, he completed his ar-
rangements for one by his marriage to Miss
Polly Jackson, with whom he lived for more
than twenty-one years, when they were sep-
arated by the hand of death, the lady being
called to her final rest on the 22d of Febru-
ary, 1873. On the 28th of September, 1876,
Mr. Spry was again married, his second
union being with Miss Wealthy Almira Os-
born, -who was born in Ca},-uga county. New
York, February 16, 183 1, a daughter of
Isaac and Lois Osborn. At the age of
eighteen she began teaching school in Craw-
ford county, Ohio, and successfully followed
that profession for eleven terms, her last
school being in Monroe tOAvnship, Knox
county. By his first marriage Mr. Spry
had the following named children : Henry,
who is living in Fredericktown, Ohio; Na-
than Albert, who follows farming in Pike
township; Mary, the wife of Oakly Marion,
of IMorris township: and a son who died
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
37
when only one year old, having been born
the 14th of September and died the 15th of
the following September.
Almost a half century ago Mr. Spry took
up his abode upon his present farm, which
has been his home continuously since. The
place comprises one hundred' and thirty-one
acres of the rich land of Pike township and
he has devoted his entire attention to the
cultivation and improvement of his land, the
years bringing to him excellent crops, and
from their sale he has added each year to
his income. In political views he is a Demo-
crat, but has no desire for office. He be-
longs to the Methodist church, and although
his life has been quietly passed, unmarked
by any event of exciting interest, it has ever
been characterized by fidelity to duty, by
honor in his relations with his fellow men
and by straightforward dealings in all trade
transactions.
JOHN LORA RUSH.
• No other resident of Morris township
has for so long a period been located within
its borders as John L. Rush and his active
connection with the affairs of the county
through many decades would render this
work incomplete if the record of his life was
omitted. His memory forms a connecting
link between the primitive past and the
progressive present, between pioneer condi-
tions and the advanced civilization of to-day.
It IS therefore meet that he should be men-
tioned in this volume, for not alone because
of the fact that he was an early settler, but
also because of his sterling worth and his
active connection with business and public
affairs should his history form a part of this
volume.
Mr. Rush was born in Morris township,
October 6, 1818, and on the paternal side is
of German lineage, for his grandfather came
from Germany to the new world. Peter
Rush, the father of our subject, was born in
New Jersey, and, making his way to Knox
cotmty, he here entered one hundred and
sixty acres of land from the government,
which is still in possession of his descend-
ants. From the government he secured a
large tract of land, which was then w-ild and
unimproved, but offered excellent possibili-
ties to the man of determination and energy.
Those characteristics in Mr. Rush enabled
him to transform his place into a valuable
farm, upon which he spent his remaining
days. He wedded Clarissa Upson, whose
parents were natives of Long Island and
after their marriage emigrated to KnO'X
county, where they became prosperous and
well known. Mr. Rush, passed away in
death at the age of seventy-nine years.
On the old family homestead Mr. Rush
of this review was reared amid the wild
scenes of frontier life. There were no pub-
lic schools at the time and he pursued his
education in a subscription school, which
was held in an old frame building, supplied
with slab seats, while boards hung to the
wall served as writing desks. The floor was
also made of slabs, and one entire end of the
room was taken up by an immense fireplace.
Although his educational privileges were
somewhat meager his training at farm labor
was not limited. He aided in the arduous
task of clearing and cultivating new land,
and throughout his entire life he has carried
on agricultural pursuits. He has never lived
outside the boundaries of Morris township
and is the oldest resident within its borders
born in the township. He has engaged in
38
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
a limited extent in carpenter work and alsO'
manufactured coffins for the burial of the
dead in an early day, but during the greater
part of his life his energies have been de-
voted to the tilling of the soil, whereby he
has secured a good living.
On the 30th of September, 1841, Mr.
Rush secured as a companion and helpmate
for the journey of life Miss Ann Eliza Lev-
eridge, a daughtei of James and Anna
(Douglass) Leveridge. They had two chil-
dren, but one died in infancy. The surviv-
ing son is Alfred, who married Emma Mer-
rin, a daughter of George and Ludima (Irv-
ine) Merrin, and he now operates the home
farm. For many years Mr. Rush was very
prominent in public affairs. He held a num-
ber of township offices, including those of
supervisor and trustee, and he has ever been
a warm advocate of the Republican party
since its organization. His public duties
were ever discharged with promptness and
fidelity and his upright, honorable career
won for him the confidence and respect of
all with whom he has been associated. With
the consciousness of a life well spent and
with pleasant memories of good deeds per-
formed for his fellow men Mr. Rush is near-
ing the end of the journey of life, but his
influence on his generation cannot be calcu-
lated nor his value as a pioneer be meas-
ured.
WTLLIAM EBERSOLE.
In the death of William Ebersole Knox
county lost cue of its citizens whom it had
learned to value by reason of his sterling
worth, his business honesty and his upright
life. He was a valiant soldier of the Civil
war and throughout the remainder of his
life was actively identified with farming in-
terests in Knox — his native county. His
birth occurred in Wayne township, July 26,
183 1, his parents being John and Elizabeth
(Krider) Ebersole. His father was a sol-
dier in the war of 1812 and devoted his
energies to agricultural pursuits, so that our
subject was reared upon a farm, where he
early became familiar with the work of the
field and meadow and with all the labors
that make up the sum of the day's toil for the
agriculturist. In the schools of Frederick-
town he mastered the common branches of
learning and then pursued his chosen occu-
pation until the ist of September, 1862,
when feeling that his duty was to his coun-
try he offered his services to the government
and was enrolled among the boys in blue of
Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-
first Ohio Infantry. He was mustered into
service at Camp Chase and remained at the
front throughout the remainder of the war.
Being taken ill he lay in the army hospital
for a long time, but nevertheless he rendered
active and efficient service to the Union
cause in a number of hotly contested battles.
He participated in the battles of Chicka- ;
mauga and Perryville, the siege if Atlanta 1
and after the fall of that city went with i
Sherman on his celebrated march to the i
sea, which proved that the strength of the
Confederacy was almost spent. \Mien the
active hostilities had ceased he participated
in the grand review in W^ashington, D. C,
where "wave after wave of bayonet crested
blue" swept by the stand from which the
president watched the return of the victori-
ous army. He was then discharged and
mustered out of service in April. 1S65.
With a creditable militarv record Will-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
39
iam Ebersole returned to his home, and on
the isth of October of the following year
he was united in marriage to Matilda Eber-
sole, a daughter of John and Mary Ann
(Johnson) Ebersole. Her paternal grarid-
father, Jacob Ebersole, came to Knox coun-
ty from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in
1812, and therefore was one of the pioneer
settlers, for the work of improvement and
civilization had scarcely been begun at the
time of his arrival. He married Magdalene
Whitmore, and they had six children : John
the father of Mrs. Ebersole of this review;
Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob
Wise; Nancy, who married John Baugh-
man; Jacob; Catherine; and Joseph. The
first of this family, John Ebersole, married
Mary Ann Johnson, a daug'hter of Jacob and
Elizabeth Johnson, and they became the par-
ents of three children: Floretta E., the wife
of Edward Coe; Mrs. Matilda Ebersole of
this sketch ; and Rebecca Ann, who married
David Studer.
William Ebersole and his wife began
their domestic life on the farm where she is
now living. He devoted his energies to
agricultural pursuits from' the time of his
return from the army until his death, and
his labors brought to him success, for he
was energetic, capable and systematic — qual-
ities..which always contribute largely to pros-
perity. His fellow townsmen knew him for
an honorable man, reliable and trustworthy,
and his friends found him genial and kindly,
but his loss is most greatly felt in the home
where he was a devoted husband and where
he is survived only by his widow, they never
having had any children. He passed away
November 14, 1893, but his memory is still
enshrined in the hearts of many who knew
him. Mrs. Ebersole is living alone on the
farm, which she superintends. It is pleas-
antly and conveniently located only a mile
from Fredericktown, and she has one of the
finest residences in the township. Her land
is seventy-three acres in extent and returns
to her annually a good income in reward for
the care and labor which, under her direc-
tion, is bestowed upon it. In the community
where she has so long resided she has many
warm friends who will be glad to read this
history of her and her husband.
WILLIAM H. SMITH.
On the roster of county officials in Knox
county appears the namje of William H.
Smith, who is now serving the second term
as county recorder. A well-known states-
man has said, "You may fool all of the
American people some of the time : some of
the people all of the time, but you can't fool
all of the American people all of the time."
The truth of this is continually manifest in
political life. It is a well-known fact that
men by unworthy methods sometimes gain
public office, but a discriminating public
does not retain them' there, and when one is
re-elected to office it is very good evidence
that he is deserving and trustworthy. Such
is certainly the case with Mr. Smith, who is
now capably serving in the position of coun-
ty recorder for a second term.
He is one of Knox county's native sons,
his birth having occurred in Milford town-
ship in 1836, and his ancestry may be traced
back to one of the Revolutionary heroes, for
his grandfather, Captain Henry Smith, com.-
manded a company in the war for independ-.
ence and was at Wheeling, West Virginia,
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
when the place was surrounded by Indians.
He wedded Mary Irisli, who was born in
Ireland, and among their children was Will-
iam H. Smith, the father of our subject. He
was born in Ohio county, Virginia, in 1799
and in 18^3 emigrated to Knox county,
Ohio, locating on a farm in Alilford
township, where he successfully carried
on agricultural pursuits until 1866. A
recognized leader in public thought and
opinion, he was called upon to serve
in many positions of trust and respon-
sibility. He acted as township trustee
and in other local offices and in 1843 ^"^ in
1845 "^^'^s elected to the state legislature.
Later he was a candidate for the state senate.
His pohtical belief was that of the Demo-
ocratic party. He took an active part in try-
ing to defeat the Walhondig canal and this
caused his political defeat on one occasion,
but time proved that his course was a wise
one and that the people again placed confi-
dence in his political work was shown by the
fact that he was again elected to the legisla-
ture. He left the impress of his individual-
ity upon many measures which came up for
settlement in the house when he occupied a
scat therein, and he ever commanded the re-
spect of his colleagues by reason of his fidel-
ity to his honest convictions. For many
years he was a prominent member of the
Presbyterian church in Milford township,
and with every movement that had for -its
object the general welfare he was in sym-
pathy.
Hon. William H. Smith was united in
marriage to Miss Esther Dill, whow-as born
near Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew
Dill, who served as a captain in the war of
181 2 under General Mc Arthur and was
present at the time of Hull's surrender. Mr.
Smith died in Mount Vernon, in 1871, at
the age of seventy-two years and the com-
munity thereby lost one of its honored and
valued citizens. His wife survived until
1 89 1 and died in Tennessee at the age of
eighty-one. The members of the family
were: Henry, of Kossuth county, Iowa;
Mary, deceased wife of Morris Mahan, of
Grand Rapids, Michigan; William H. ;
James, who served as sergeant major in the
Civil war and is now living in Tiffin, Ohio;
Harriet, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and
Thomas and Adalaide, who are also living
in Knoxville.
In the common schools of this county
William H. Smith pursued his education"
and throughout his business career he has
carried on general farming and stock-rais-
ing, following those pursuits on an extensive
scale in Liberty township. His enterprise
and industry, combined with good judg-
ment, made him one of the leading and pros-
perous farmers of the community and every-
thing about his place indicated his care and
supervision. In 1897, however, he put aside
the work of the farm to enter upon the duties
of county recorder, to which office he had
been elected in the fall of the previous year,
for a three-years' term. In 1900 he was
again chosen for the same position — -the
election being a comment upon his efficiency
and trustworthiness.- For twelve years he
had served as justice of the peace in Milford
township and was assessor both in Liberty
and Milford townships. He has been a life-
long Democrat, very active in behalf of the;
party.
Mr. Smith married Miss Hannah J.
iVIilligan, of Miller township, a daughter of
George Milligan, who came from Ohio
countv, \'irginia, to the Buckeve state. I
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Their children are William H. ; Elizabeth,
at home; George, of Columbus; Esther, who
assists her father in the recorder's office;
Louisa, the wife of John Keys, of Liberty
township; Hervey and Frances, who assist
in the recorder's office. The family is wide-
ly known in the county and its members
enjoy the warm regard of many friends.
HENRY P. DURBIN.
Tlie name of Durbin is closely inter-
woven with the history of Knox county, for
at an early day its representatives came to
this part of Ohio^ and since that time mem-
bers of the family have been actively indenti-
fied with the line of work that leads to the
substantial development and improvement
of a community. From pioneer times down
to the present they have been associated with
agricultural interests — and it is the work of
the farm that forms the basis of all business
activity. Henry Patterson Durbin is now
engaged in the cultivation of the soil upon
an excellent farm in Morris township. His
ancestry on both the paternal and maternal
sides may be traced back to Germany, but
in the primitive period of American settle-
ment those from whom he traces his descent
crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Sam-
uel Durbin, his grandfather, was a native of
Pennsylvania and in that state was reared
and married. Li 1810, accompanied by his
wife, he came to Knox county and entered
a large tract of land from the government,
developing therefrom a farm which is still
owned by his descendants. Since that time
the Durbins have been classed among the
leading citizens of Knox county on accoimt
of their sterling worth and the efficient aid
they have given to all measures and move-
ments for the general good.
Henry Patterson Durbin was born in
Mount Vernon, June 7. 1838, and to its pub-
lic schools system he is indebted for the edu-
cational privileges he enjoyed. Early in life
he went to Paris, Illinois, where he was mar-
ried, on the 20th of December, 1864, to Miss
]\Iary Chilcoat, a daughter of Nathaniel
and Mary (Swoise) Chilcoat. Seven chil-
dren have been born unto them, as follows :
Emery, who is operating the old home farm
with his father; Jessie E., the wife of James
Parish, by whom she had four children —
Ethel Adel, Frances Marie, Tina, deceased,
and Minnie; Lizzie, who died in 1893, at
the age of eighteen years; William R., who
lives in Mount Vernon; Miles, at home; one
who died in infancy ; and Grace, wife of
Ellsworth Johnson.
Mr. Durbin has for a number of years
resided in Morris township, where he owns
and operated a valuable tract of land of
one hundred and sixty acres. The industry
which has ever been characteristic of his bus-
iness career has enabled him to overcome all
the obstacles and difficulties in his path and
steadily advance on the high road to success.
Tliomas Emery Durbin, his son, who is
associated with him in the management and
cultivation of the home farm, was born in
Paris. Illinois, January 23, 1866, but during
his infancy was brought by his parents to
Knox county. He pursued his education in
the public schools and then turned his atten-
tion to the pursuit to which he had been
reared — that of farming. Experience and
careful consideration have taught him the
best methods of tilling the soil so as to pro-
duce good crops and annually his rich har-
vests add to his financial resources.
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
On the 1 6th of February, 1898, Thomas
E. Durbin was married to Miss Birdie E.
Hess, who was born July 7, 1878, and they
are now the parents of two interesting httle
sons, Dwig-ht Russell and Floyd Hess. Mr.
Durbin is a member of the Knights of Pyth-
ias fraternity, belonging to Timon Lodge,
No. 4, and also to the Uniformed Rank. He
was also at one time associated with the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows. In his re-
ligious faith he is a Methodist and in his po-
litical views is a strong Republican, unwav-
ering in his allegiance to the party which he
thinks best conserves the public welfare.
ELI A. WOLFE.
Eli A. Wolfe now ranks as the leading
business man of Howard and is classed
among the most energetic and progressive
citizens O'f Knox county, where he has spent
his entire life. An analyzation of his char-
acter shows that he owes his success not to
inheritance or the aid of influential friends,
but to his own well-directed efforts. Realiz-
ing that in America "labor is king,'' with
resolute purpose he set to work to achieve
prosperity and earnest toil has secured his
steady advancement.
Mr. Wolfe is a native of Harrison town-
ship, this county, December 30. 1857, and
comes of a family of German lineage, which,
however was planted on American soil at an
early period in the development of this coun-
try. His grandfather, John Wolfe, was
born in Pennsylvania and became one of the
pioneer settlers of Knox county, where he
followed his chosen occupation of farming.
His son, Jacob Wolfe, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Harrison township and
when he had attained to man's estate fol-
lowed the occupation to which he had been
reared — that of cultivating the soil. His
death occurred in 1861.. His wife, who in
her maidenhood was Mary A. McArtor, vvas
born and reared in Howard township. Her
father, Jonathan McArtor, was a native of
Virginia, and became one of the first settlers
of Knox county. He was oi Irish descent
and provided for his family by following the
plow. His daughter, Mrs. Wolfe, is still
living and makes her home with her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Holmes, in Mount Vernon. By
her marriage she became the mother of two
sons and a daughter, all of whom are living:
Cary E., a resident farmer of Harrison
township; Eli A.; and Celesta, the wife of
Harry Holmes, of Mount Vernon.
On his father's farm in his native town-
ship Eli Wolfe spent the days of his boyhood
and youth and began his education in the
home district. After mastering the common
branches of English learning he became a
student in the Normal at Utica, Ohio, where
he completed a three-years' course and was
graduated in 1881. He then engaged in
teaching school for a year in the village of
Bladensburg, and on the 4th of July, 1882,
he began dealing in general merchandising in
Howard, where he has since conducted a
store, carrying a large and well-selected
stock of goods. His reasonable prices, his
straightforward business methods and his
earnest desire to please have secured to him
a liberal patronage and made the business
profitable. Since 1891 he has been associ-
ated with J. G. Critchfield in the undertak-
ing business and since 1897 has been an act-
ive representative to the grain trade. It
will thus be seen that his efforts have not
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
been confined to one line. He is a man of
resourceful business ability and his capable
management, enterprise and laudable ambi-
tion have won him prosperity. It is true
that like other business men he may not have
found all the days equally bright. Indeed,
in his commercial experience he has seen the
gathering of clouds that threaten disaster,
but his rich inheritance of energy and pluck
has enabled him to turn defeats into victory
and promised failures into brilliant svic-
cesses. His strict integrity, business con-
servatism and judgment have been so uni-
formly recognized that Mr. Wolfe has en-
joyed public confidence to an enviable de-
gree and naturally this has brought him
such a lucrative patronage that through
times of general prosperity and general ad-
versity alike, he has witnessed a steady in-
crease in his business until to-day it is one
of the most flourishing in this part of Knox
county.
Mr. Wolfe has been twice married. In
1 88 1 he wedded Blanch McKee, who died
leaving one son, Frank L. In 1895 he was
again married, his second union being with
Edna Ellis. He has filled some local offices,
has been notary public since 1885 and in
that year was appointed postmaster and
again in 1892 under President Cleveland.
i Altogether his service as postmaster and as-
[ sistant postmaster has covered fourteen
[ years, and his public service, like the record
1 of his business career and his private life, is
I alike above reproach. For nine years he was
I township clerk and in his political views he
I is a stanch Democrat. Fraternally he is a
; member of Danville Lodge, F. & A. M., and
is also identified with the Modern Woodmen
[ Camp at Howard. He holds membership
i with the Christian church, in which he is
serving as clerk, and is a gentleman of up-
right principles, unfailing- honor in business,
of uniform kindness and courtesy and one
who has high regard for the amenities of
life.
JOHN LEONARD.
John Leonard, now deceased, was one of
the honored pioneers of Knox county, where
he located when this portion of the state was
a wild frontier region in which the work of
progress and development had scarcely been
begun. His labors added to the general ad-
vancement and improvement, and in the
passing of the years he was acknowledged
to be one of the most valuable representa-
tives of the farming interests of the county.
Mr. Leonard was a native of Pennsyl-
vania, his birth having occurred in Wash-
ington county, of the Keystone state, on the
28th of March, 1814. His education was
there obtained in the primitive schools of the
time, and through the summer months the
work oi the home farm claimed his attention.
He was but thirteen years of age when he
came to Knox county with his parents, Sam-
uel and Phebe (Logan) Leonard, who en-
tered a large tract of land in Morris town-
ship and there began the development of a
farm. Our subject shared with his family in
all the hardships and trials of pioneer life
and bore his share in the arduous task of re-
claiming wild land for purposes of civiliza-
tion. Throughout his entire life he carried
on general farming and at his death was the
owner of a very valuable and richly improved
tract of land of three hundred and fifty acres.
On the 2d of March, 1866, Mr. Leonaid
married Miss Harriet Boudinot, who repre-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sented one of the oldest families of America,
tracing her ancestry back to the French
Huguenots, who sought freedom from per-
secution in America in the early part of the
seventeenth century. Three brothers, Elisha,
Elias and John Boudinot, it is believed,
crossed the Atlantic in the Mayflower in
1620, and the first named was the grand-
father of Mrs. Leonard four times removed.
Her grandfather also bore the name of Elias.
The family became very prominent in public
afifairs and representatives of the name were
associated with events which went to frame
the policy of the nation. An uncle of Mrs.
Leonard was Elias Boudinot, LL. D., who
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May
2, 1740. He became an eminent lawyer and
was an advocate of colonial liberty. In 1777
congress appointed him commissary general,
having charge of provisions for the army,
and the same year he was elected to congress.
He becamie president of that body in 1782
and the following year, in his official capac-
ity, he signed the treaty of peace which ended
the eight years' struggle that brought inde-
pendence to the nation. Washington made
him superintendent of the mint in 1796, and
he filled that position until 1805, when he
resigned and retired fro'm public life, after
a career of public usefulness and honor that
extended over more than a quarter of a cen-
tury. He was a trustee of Princeton College,
to which he gave a cabinet of natural history
specimens. In 181 2 he was a member of the
American board of commissioners for for-
eign afifairs and missions, and in 18 16 was
the first president of the American Bible So-
ciety, to which he gave very liberal dona-
tions. He was one of the first writers to
favor the idea that American Indians were
c f Jewish origin, to which end he published
the Star of the West, or An Effort to Dis-
cover the Lost Tribes of Israel. He also
published the Age of Infidelity, and other
works which awakened the interest of the
scientific world. He died in 1821.
The parents of Mrs. Leonard were John
and Margaret (Williams) Boudinot. Their
daughter was born in Athens county May 3,
184 1, and when ten years old accompanied
her parents on their removal to Morris
township, Knox county, where she was edu-
cated in the public schools. Her maternal
grandfather was William Williams, a sol-
dier of the Revolutionary war, who enlisted
from Virginia, in which state Mrs. Boudinot
was born. John Boudinot was born in New
Jersey in 1771 and enlisted from Oneida
county, N. Y., for service in the war of 1812,
under Captain John Whitney. In 181 7 he
removed to Ohio and there he and his wife
spent their remaining days. They became
the parents of ten children, namely: Will-
iam, deceased ; Elias R. ; Tobias, who has
also passed away ; James, deceased ; Eliza,
the deceased wife of Jacob Walter; John,
who has been called to his final rest ; Sarah,
the wife of Josiah Walter, and a resident of
St. Joseph, Missouri; George, deceased;
Henrietta, the wife of J. E. Fritz, of War-
saw, Indiana; and Harriet, who completes
the family, and is now well known in Knox
county as the honored wife of Mr. Leonard.
At the time of her marriage she went to
her husband's home in Morris township and
there they lived happily for many years. Mr.
Leonard devoted his time and energies to
general farming and owned and operated'
three hundred and fifty acres of land,
constituting a valuable and highly im-
proved tract. He was industrious and
energetic, and his capable management
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
45
made him one of the pro-sperous farmers
of his locaUty. His fehow townsmen,
recognizing" his worth and abihty, fre-
quently cahed him to pubHc office. He
served as township trustee and for a num-
ber of terms was supervisor, discharging his
duties in a manner that won him the com-
mendation of ah concerned. He co-operated
in all movements which he believed would
prove of general good, and in matter oi bus-
iness and private concern he was ever
straightforward and. honorable, command-
ing the respect of his fellow men in a high
measure. He passed away October 28, 1893,
and the community mourned the loss of one
of its best citizens, while in the household
his place can never be filled. Mrs. Leonard
is still living on the old homestead, where
she went as a bride many years ago. Her
excellent qualities have gained her many
friends.
JAMES WESLEY COE.
James W. Coe, the late efficient county
infirmary director, is descended from good
old Revolutionary ancestry, and the family
has long been one of prominence in this
state. His paternal great-grandfather, Phil-
ip Coe. served throughout the struggle for
independence, and he also assisted in throw-
ing overboard the tea into the Boston har-
bor. He became a prominent land owner
and agent in Marshall county. West Vir-
ginia, and there he spent the remainder of
his days. He became the father of two
sons, Isaac and Philip, and the former be-
came the grandfather of onr subject. He
reared a family of fifteen children, who set-
tled over different parts of the United
States, and during the Civil war they were
represented in both the Confederate and
Federal armies. John Coe, the father of
him whose name introduces this review,
served with distinction throughout the
struggle between the north and the south,
as did also three of his sons. As a compan-
ion for the journey of life he chose Matilda
a daughter of John Newland, and the latter
married a Van Rensaellaer, of Wellington,
Delaware.
James Wesley Coe, a son of this worthy
couple, removed from. West Virginia to
Ohio in 1866. When the Civil war was
inaugurated he was then but a lad of sev-
enteen years, but he nobly offered his ser-
vices to his country, and for three years he
was a brave and gallant defender of the
cause which he esposed. He became a
member of Company A, Twelfth West Vir-
ginia Infantry, enlisting for service in 1862,
and during his military career he partici-
pated in twelve regular battles, among them
being the battle of Appomattox. For a time
he was confined as a prisoner of war at Lib-
by and Belle Island, and also participated
in the taking of Fort Craig, which was the
last fort taken during the war. Mr. Coe is
no'W a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic of Mount Vernon, in which he
maintains pleasant relations with his old
army comrades.
After hostilities had ceased Mr. Coe re-
turned to his home with a most creditable
military record, and once more took up the
quiet duties of civil life. In 1870 he took
up his residence in Jackson township, Knox
county, where he made his home until 1886,
and in that year he came tO' Mount Vernon,
which has ever since been his home. For
twenty-two years he was engaged in the op-
46
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
eration of a sawmiU, on the expiration of
which period, in 1892, he was elected to the
position of director of the county infimiary,
and so well did he discharge the duties rest-
ing upon him in that office that in 1898 he
was again elected, and has but recently
closed his connection with that institution.
He has also' filled other offices of trust and
responsibility, having been the choice of his
party for the position of trustee of Jack-
son township in 1884, and in the following
year he was made constable and assessor of
that township, while for four years he
served as school director. In all the rela-
tions of life he has been found true to every
trust rei.)OSfd in him, and he merits and re-
ceives the respect and esteem of all who
know him.
In Coshocton county, Ohio, was cele-
brated the marriage of IMr. Coe and Miss
Sarah Fry, then a young lady of twenty
years, and two years his junior. She is a
native of that county and a daughter of
William Fry, who came to this state from
Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed
with three children: William, a mechanic
of Mount Vernon, and whose wife was Sa-
rah Krumlauf ; Alvaretta, the wife of Bruce
Gleason, also of this city; and lonJt, the wife
of Bryant Mann, of Mount Vernon. The
family are members of the Methodist
church.
ADAM HIDER DARfLING.
Much has been said and written about
the sterling stock of the Old Dominion and
its influence upon the settlement and devel-
opment of all parts of the United States;
but the half has never been told and nothing
like a complete story ever will be told except
in the aggregate of accounts of the lives
and achievements of representatives of Vir-
ginian families in every state of the Union.
Ohio, because of its proximity to the grand
old state which has become known as the
"mother of presidents," has received a gen-
erous share of virile Virginian blood and
her citizens have reason to congratulate
themselves because of that fact. Knox
county received many Virginian pioneers
and among them was the father of the sub-
ject of this sketch.
Adam H. Darling, a retired farmer, of
Bladensburg, Jackson township, Knox
county, Ohio, was born in Knox county on
Christmas day, oi 1821, a son of Abrara
Darling, who was born in Virginia March
29, 1780, and came to Knox county with his
father, William Darling, the grandfather of
Adam H. Darling, in 1806. William Darl-
ing was born in Virginia in 1756 and served
the cause of the colonies during the entire
period of the Revolutionary war as a gal-
lant and devoted soldier, participating in
many historic engagements, including those
at Cowpens and King's Mountain.
Abram Darling, father of the subject
of this sketch, bought land in Butler town-
ship in 1806 and when he became one of the
pioneers of Knox county. He was married
in 1808 to Rhoda Shrimplin, who was born
and reared in Maryland and who bore him
fourteen children, three of whom died in
infanc}' and three are yet living, of whom
Adam H. is the third in order of nativity.
These children were named as follows :
Sophia, Patrick M., Margaret, William,
Jane, Lydia, Adam H., Mary, Milan, An-
gus, Jackson, Walter, Amos and Caroline.
Those who are living are William, Jackson
and Adam H.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Adam H. Darling was reared and edu-
cated in Butler township, and on February
25, 1843, married Martha Strong, who was
born in Maryland August i, 1824, and had
been brought from her native state by her
parents, who were among the early settlers
in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. Darling
have had born to them twelve children, one
of whom died in infanc)'. The names of
the others are as follows : Telitha, Thurza,
Sullivan, Grace, Nink, Patience, Shrimplin,
Charles, Jackson, Perry and George W.
In 1897 Mr. Darling sold his farm of
one hundred and sixty acres and retired
from active life. As a Democrat he has
taken a leading part in public affairs and
for six years filled the office of trustee of
Jackson township.
ELI JOHN P. TAYLOR.
The subject of this sketch who is of Eng-
lish and Scotch-Irish aiicestry, and who is
an old and respected citizen of Clay town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, was born in Del-
aware July 20, 1832. Abraham- Taylor, his
father, was a native of Pennsylvania and his
ancestors came over to America with Will-
iam Penn. Mary Murtick, whoi married
Abraham Taylor and was Eli John P. Tay-
lor's mother, was born of Scotch-Irish par-
entage at Wilmington, Deleware. She was
early orphaned and was reared and educated
by a Mr. Franklin, of Wilmington. Abra-
ham and Mary (Murtick) Taylor came to
Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1837, and to
Knox county about 1843, locating in Jack-
son township. They were the parents of
five sons and two daughters, of whom two
sons and the daughters are living at this
time. Eli John P. Taylor, who is their
youngest son, was five years old when his
parents removed from Delaware to Coshoc-
ton county, Ohio, and eleven years old when
they settled in Jackson township, Knox
county. His father died in his seventy-
fifth year, his mother in her ninety-second
year.
Mr. Taylor was reared in Jackson town-
! ship and educated in the public schools near
his home. He was married June 2, 1864,
to Miss Louisa Fry, who was born in
Coshocton county, Ohio, September 9, 1844,
a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Huff-
man) Fry. Her parents, who were natives
of Pennsylvania, were earlv settlers in Ohio.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Tay-
lor lived in Jackson township until 1881,
when they located on their present farm in
Clay township, which consists of one hun-
dred and ninety-two acres, well equipped in
every way and devoted to general farming.
Mr. Taylor, who is a Democrat, has held
several local offices and has been prominent
as a member of the township board of edu-
cation. His religious belief led him to
form a membership with the Presbyterian
church, in which he is an elder and in the
work of which he has been active and effi-
cient.
Eli John P. and Elizabeth (Fry) Taylor
are the parents of six children, who are
here named in the order of their nativity:
Laura V.. who married Alonzo Blue, and
resides near Mount Vernon ; Benjamin F.,
who married Miss Zora Scott, of Jackson
township; Mary E., who married Charles
Blackburn, residing in Clay township; Will-
iam H., who married Felicia Scott, of Perry
township, Coshocton county ; and Abra-
48
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ham Leroy and Allen, who' are assisting in
the operation of the honie farm. WilUam
H. Taylor now owns the John Trimble
farm in Coshocton county, which was se-
cured under the administration of James
Madison.
DWIGHT E. SAPP.
Dwight E. Sapp is a typical representa-
tive Qif the progressive American spirit
which has wrought such a rapid and won-
derful development in this country. En-
ergy, industry and a laudable ambition form
the basis of his career and have proved a
strong foundation upon which to rear the
superstructure of his success. He is not
only well-known as an able practicing at-
torney at Mount Vernon, but is connected
with many corporations, which not only re-
turn good dividends to the stockholders but
are also of value to the communities with
which they are connected.
Mr. Sapp was born in Mount Vernon in
1863 and is a son of William C. Sapp, a
retired merchant of this city. His paternal
grandfather. Levi Sapp. was a native of
Maryland and from that stale emigrated
westward in 1805, continuing his journey
until he reached Knox county, Ohio. Here
he secured a tract of land in L'nion town-
ship, whereon he continued to engage in ag-
ricultural pursuits until his retirement from
business life. He then removed to Mount
Vernon, where throughout his remaining
days he enjoyed a well-earned rest. He was
an active pioneer who took a prominent part
in the early development and improvement
of the county, doing all in his power to ad-
vance its interests. In his business afifairs
he was also energetic and resolute and be-
came one of the prosperous farmers of the
community. He wedded Mary Colopy, of
Union township, a daughter of Jacob Colo-
py, one of the earliest settlers of Knox
county. Unto Levi and Mary (Colopy)
Sapp were born ten children, namely : Will-
iam C, the father of our subject; L. W., a
successful practicing physician of Cleveland,
Ohio; J. A., who served as a surgeon in
the Civil war and is now a physician of Sa-
lina, Ohio; Julius B., who was a soldier
in the war of the Rebellion and is now prac-
ticing dentistry in Cleveland, Ohio; Solo-
mon, who was also a soldier in the same
war, and was long identified with the United
States postal service, serving as postmaster
of Mount Vernon during the Harrison and
Cleveland administrations ; Amanda, the
wife of Dr. F. W. Wernette, of Coshocton,
Ohio; Martha P., wife of Colonel L. G.
Hunt, of Mount Vernon ; Liicinda. the wid-
ow of John Durbin, a prosperous farmer of
Union township, Knox county; Sarah A.,
widow of J. W. Bradfield. an ex-commis-
sioner O'f Knox county: and George Sapp,
who lives on the old home place in Union
township.
William C. Sapp, the father of our sub-
ject, was born on the old family homestead
in Union township in 1828 and, leaving the
farm, became identified with mercantile in-
terests in Mount Vernon prior to i860. He
gave close attention to business and his hon-
orable policy and earnest desire to please se-
cured to him a liberal patrongae, which he
enjoyed until his retirement to private life
in 1880. He was married, in 1861, to Miss
Francis P. Sapp, daughter of Dr. Enoch
Sapp, who for many years was a practicing
physician of Coshocton, Ohio. He married
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Ruth Shaw, a daughter of one oi the pioneer
settlers of Ohio, who came from Maryland.
The Doctor was a son of Daniel Sapp. who
laid out the town of Danville, Knox county,
which was named in his honor. He was a
magistrate of the county for many years and
was a leading and influential citizen in local
affairs, his opinion being a potent force in
molding public thought and action. In ad-
dition to Dr. Enoch Sapp his children were
as follows: Major William R. Sapp, now
deceased, who for many years was a promi-
nenty attorney of the count)^ and also held
many offices of public trust, being internal
revenue collector through a long period,
while for several terms he also represented
his district in congress; John, of Knox
coimty, now deceased, who was the father
of Colonel William F. Sapp, who com-
manded a regiment in the Civil war and was
afterward for several terms prosecuting at-
torney of Knox county, whence with his
wife, a daughter o-f Colonel Brown, he re-
moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where for
many years he successfully practiced law
and for a number of terms represented his
district in congress. It will thus be seen
that on both the paternal and maternal sides
the Sapps have been prominent people in
whatever communities they Lave resided and
have won distinguished honors in both mili-
tary and professional circles. Dwight E.
Sapp was an only son, but has a sister, Es-
telle, the wife of William E. Fisher. They
formerly resided in Mount Vernon, but are
now living in London, England.
After leaving the common schools
Dwight E. Sapp continued his education in
i Kenyon College, where he was a mem-
ber of the class of 1884. Leaving college
he began the study of law under Colonel W.
C. Cooper, of Mount Vernon, and later was
a student in the law office of the firm of Mc-
Clelland & Culbertson, attorneys of this city.
In 1887 he was admitted to the bar and the
same year was appointed county recorder,
to which position he was afterward elected
for two subsequent terms, serving from 1888
until 1894. In the latter year he began the
practice of law alone in Mount Vernon and
in April, 1900, he entered into partnership
with H. C. Devin, under .the firm name of
Sapp & Devin. They have a large clientage
of an important character and rank high at
the bar of Knox county. Mr. Sapp is also
connected with many important business
concerns. He is a director of the Knox Na-
tional Bank, of Mount Vernon, president of
the Coshocton Gas Company, counsel for
and director of the Millersburg, Wooster
and Orrville Telephone Company, director
of the Hillsboro Light , Fuel and Power
Company, secretary of the Central Ohio
Electric Railway Company and secretary
and treasurer of the Sunbury & Galena
Telephone Company. He has done much
toward the development of the gas and tele-
phone industries in this portion of the state
— two branches of business which are
widely acknowledged to be of signal import-
ance and benefit to the communities with
which they are connected.
In 1895 Mr. Sapp married Miss Alice
Evelyn Thompson, of Mount Auburn, Cin-
cinnati, a daughter of Frank and Anna
(Reakirt) Thompson. Her father was for
many years engaged in a wholesale business
in Cincinnati and during his life occupied
many positions of public trust. He was one
of the first residents of Mount Auburn. His
widow is still living and is a representative
of an old and prominent family of that por-
so
A CEXTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
tion of the state. The marriage of Mr. and
LIrs. Sapp has been blessed with one child,
Allen. The warm-hearted and cordial hos-
pitality of their home is enjoyed by their
many friends in Mount Vernon, where they
are widely and favorably known. In his
political views Mr. Sapp is an active and
earnest Republican and socially he is iden-
tified with the IMasonic fraternity. Varied
and important are the business interests to
which he has given his attention and the
number of these is indicative of the ability
and character of the man — resolute, deter-
mined, far-sighted and with strict regard to
the ethics of business life. He is a valued
factor in the community and ranks among
the leading and influential citizens of the
county with which his ancestors have been
identified from the beginning of the nine-
teenth centurv.
LEAXDER McCA:\IEXT.
The Masonic order has many members
of long standing in Knox county, Ohio, and
there is none o^f them who is more widely
known or more highly esteemed than Lean-
der ]\kCament, an undertaker and farmer
of Bladensburg, Jackson township, who by
twenty-one years membership may be said to
have attained to his majority as a Mason.
He has been a Knight of Pythias since 1890,
when he became a charter member of his
lodge. He is not without considerable local
influence politically and for some time he
ably filled the office of constable of Clay
township. He is also quite well known in
connection with the work of the Disciple
church, of wliich he has long been a member.
Leander McCament was born in Jackson
I township, Knox county, Ohio, May 25,
1850, a son of William McCament, a mem-
ber of a pioneer family in Knox county and
a native also of Jackson township who was
was born in 1824. Samuel McCament, father
of William and grandfather of Leander Mc-
i Cament, was a native of Pennsylvania, but
^ settled in Jackson township while he was
] yet a very young man. William McCament
married Marjory VanWinkle, who was born
in Licking county, Ohio, in 1828, a daugh-
ter of Moses VanWinkle, a native of Mary-
land, who bore her husband nine children,
of whom the subject of this sketch was the
second in order oi birth, and who were
named as follows : George H. ; Leander ;
Christian W. ; Martha L. ; Ella; Mary;
Lucy; and two others who died in infancy.
With the exception of Leander, Martha and
Mary are the only ones now living.
Leander McCament remained with his
father until the latter's death and since that
time has been farming independently. To
his farming he added, in 1891, the business
of undertaking, in which he has been increas-
ingly successful. He was married Decem-
ber 22, 1873, to Miss Hester Murphy, who
was burn in Ireland January 29, 1854, and
who, her father having died in her native
land was brought to this country by her
grandparents when she was three years old.
Mr. and Mrs. McCament have had ten chil- j
dren, who are here mentioned in the order of I
their birth : Alberta, Lena, Vincent, Glen- j
ville, Alonzo, Blaine, Nellie, Claire V., Anita ;
and George. Of these Anita died at the age '
of five years ; Alberta is the wife of George ;
W. Hays, of near Gambler; Lena is the wife j
of William Hall, of Utica; Vincent is with
his father; Glenville is a street car conduc- ,
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
tor in Cleveland; Alonzo is a student in
the Valparaiso Normal School ; Elaine is a
bookkeeper with Swift & Company, of Chi-
cago; and Nellie is a high school student
and is at home.
EPHRAIM M. WINELAND.
With the building interests of Knox
county Ephraim M. Wineland was long and
actively associated and in many of the sub-
stantial buildings of the community are. seen
evidences of his thrift and handwork. He
has also to some extent followed farming,
but now he is living a retired life, enjoy-
ing the rest which should come to one as
the shadows of life's evening lengthens.
Mr. Wineland was born in Bedford coun-
ty, now Blair county, Pennsylvania, July
27, 1827. His father, Jacob Wineland, was
born, reared and married in that locality and
about 1842 came to Kno-x county, locating
in Pike township, where he died when about
forty years of age. He married Elizabeth
Mock, a native oi Bedford county, Pennsyl-
vania, who died in Knox county. They were
the parents of four daughters and two sons
that grew to mature years and they also lost
two children in early life. In taking up the
personal history of Ephraim M. Wineland
we present to our readers the life record of
one who is widely and favorably known in
this county, for he was only about six
months old when brought by his parents to
Ohio, where he has since lived. When a boy
he pursued his education in a log school
house in Pike township and there mastered
the common English branches of learning.
He remained at home until he had attained
his majority and assisted in the work of the
fields, early becoming familiar with all de-
partments of farm labor. On starting out
in life for himself he served an apprentice-
ship to the carpenter's trade, his term of in-
denture covering three years, during which
time he was engaged in building barns and
houses. For two years after the expiration
oi his term of apprenticeship he remained
with his employer as a journeyman, and then
began contracting and building on his own
account. He was then twenty-one years of
age, and he followed that pursuit for a quar-
ter of a century, during which time he erect-
ed many barns and residences in Fike and
other townships. In 1848 he took his first
contract — for the erection of a house for Da-
vid Long. It was a frame structure and is
still standing in the northwestern part of
Pike township, being occupied by Daniel
Keller. He then took and executed a con-
tract for the building of a house for George
Wolford, of Brown township. H6 has
erected more houses and barns than any
other contractor in Knox county and is
numbered among the pioneer carpenters
here. He built two school houses, one in
Berlin and the other in Pike township and
during the most of the time he employed men
to assist him in his work. To a limited ex-
tent he yet follows his chosen vocation but
is now largely living retired. He also en-
gaged in farming in connection with carpen-
tering and owns the land upon which he
now resides. He has always remained in
this county, with the exception oi the time
he has spent in travel. He has visited many
of the western states, going as far as the
Black Hills, in South Dakota, and for a
short time he worked at his trade in Omaha,
Nebraska, and in other places in the west.
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
About 1848 Mr. Wineland was united in
marriage to Miss Harriet Hedges, and of
this union seven children have been born,
namely: Jane, the wife of Robert Shira;
Amanda, who married Amsey Horn; Hir-
am, who is living in Nodaway county, Mis-
souri ; Jefferson, who was killed when about
sixteen years of age; and three who died in
childhood.
In his political views Mr. Wineland has
been a life long Democrat, and has done all
in his power to promote the growth and in-
sure the success of his party. He was at
one time township treasurer, serving for
seven years, and has also been elected jus-
tice of the peace but refused to qualify. He
has been road supervisor and has ever been
found a faithful public officer, prompt and
reliable in the dicharge of his duties. He
holds membership in the Methodist church
and his has ever been an honorable career.
For almost seventy-five years he has lived
in Knox county, has witnessed, therefore,
the greater part of its development as it
has merged from the wilderness and takes
a just pride in what has been accomplished
here.
CHARLES W. HENLEY.
Charles \V. Henley has for many years
resided in Knox county, where he is well-
known as a leading and enterprising farmer,
his home being in the northwestern part of
Jefferson township. He was born in Ta}'-
lorsville, Muskingum, county, Ohio, Febru-
ary 3, 1848. His father, Gregory Henley,
was a native of Germany and when seven-
teen years of age came alone to America,
landing at New York. He made his way
to Buft'alo and thence to Muskingum coun-
ty, where he was married and took up his
abode in Taylorsville. He was a cooper
by trade and also learned the shoemaker's
trade in Germany. The year 1852 witnessed
his arrival in Knox county and he located
on the farm where our subject now resides.
His death there occurred at the age of sev-
enty years. He was a member of the Cath-
olic church, being identified during his last
years with Saint Luke's parish, his remains
being interred in Saint Luke's cemetery, near
Danville. His political support was given
the Democracy, and for a number of years
he served as township trustee. He married
Barbara Bosehart, also a native of the fath-
erland, her birth having occurred on the
river Rhine in the kingdom of Baden. She
was fourteen years of age when she came to
Amercia with her parents, who located in
Taylorsville, Ohio, and at the age of forty
years she was called to her final rest. This
worthy couple were the parents of seven
children who are now living and seven who
have passed away.
Charles W. Henley was the sixth of this
family and is the fourth in order of birth
among the surviving children. He was only
four years of age when brought to Knox
county and upon the home farm where he
now resides he was reared. His education
was obtained in the common schools and
from the time he was old enough to handle
the plow he was an active worker in the
fields, assisting in the planting and in the
harvests. Throughout his entire life he has
carried on agricultural pursuits. He was
married February 8, 1872, to Miss Frances
E. Giffen, who was born near New Castle,
Coshocton county, Ohio, April 26, 1849, ^
daughter of Calvin and Lydia (Darling)
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
53
Giffen. For six months after their mar-
riag-e they resided on the Jacob Ross farm
in Union townsliip, and while tliere Mr.
Henlc}' aided in digging the tirst ceUar in
Buckeye City. He afterward removed to the
John Statts farm in Jefferson township,
where he Hved for one year and then pur-
chased forty- four acres adjoining the old
homestead. On the tract which he bought
he made his home until his father's death,
when by purchase he became the owner O'f
the old place upon which his childhood days
had been passed. He has here two hundred
and two acres, all under cultivation, and is
successfully engaged in general farming. For
about thirty years he followed school teach-
ing through the winter seasons in Hanover
township, Ashland county, and in Howard
and Jefferson townships in Knox county
He was well known as an educator of abil-
ity, being able not only to maintain discipline
but to impart clearly and concisely to others
the knowledge he had acquired.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henley were born
nine children, of whom seven, five sons and
two daughters, are yet living, namely : Ber-
tha M., who married Joseph Peters, of Rich-
land county, Ohio: Gregory P., who resides
with his wife, Nora Peters, in Howard town-
ship, Knox county; John O., who married
Elizabeth Doup, who is now deceased ; Ber-
nard, who married Nellie Wolfe; William
and Leo F. ; and Florence, at home. Two
others died in infancy, a son and a daugh-
ter.
In his political afiiliations Mr. Henley
has always been a stanch Democrat and for
many years has served as school director,
the cause of education finding in him a
warm friend. He and his family are mem-
bers of Saints Peter's and Paul's Catholic
church, in Loudenville, Ohio, and through-
out the community where they reside they
are widely and favorably known, having
many warm friends.
WILLIAM HARRISON FRASHER.
One of the most prominent representa-
tives of insurance interests in Knox county,
is William H. Frasher, yet his efforts have
not been confined alone to his business af-
fairs, for he has ever been accounted one of
those progressive citizens whose labors are
of marked benefit to the communities with
which they are connected. He endorses ev-
ery measure advanced for the general good
and his influence in behalf of education, of
material and moral improvements has been
most marked.
JMr. Frasher was born in Brown town-
ship, this county, on the loth of June, 1854.
On the paternal side he is of Scotch lineage,
his ancestors having come to America at an
early period in our country's history. His
grandfather, Randolph Frasher, was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania, whose mother was a
sister of John Randolph, of Virginia, one of
the signers of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Randolph Frasher resided near Mer-
cer, Pennsylvania, and emigrating westward
cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of
Holmes county, Ohio, and there engaged in
farming. His son, Henry Frasher, the father
of our subject, was a native of Middletown,
Holmes county, Ohio-, where his childhood
and youth were passed. In early manhood,
however, he came to Kuolx county and took
up his abode in Jelloway, which was then
known as Brownsville. He established a
54
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
tannery, which he conducted successfully
from 1850 until 1864, when his life's labors
were ended in death. He passed away at
the age of forty-two years. He was a pub-
lic-spirited citizen, doing everything in his
power for the general good, yet he never
sought or desired political office as a re-
ward for party fealty. He was a stanch
Republican who warmly endorsed the prin-
ciples of the organization, but left office
seeking to others. In Ashland county he
wedded Miss Mary Buzzard, a native of
Nashville, Holmes county. She was of
Irish and German descent and in the prim-
itive schools of her native township she pur-
sued her education and afterward engaged
in teaching in a log school house, such as
was common at that early time. She died at
the age of sixty-six years, leaving many
friends to mourn her loss. Mr. and Mrs.
Frasher became the parents of two sons and
four daughters, all of whom are yet living,
the eldest being W. H. Frasher, of this re-
view. The other members of the family
are: Jubilee, a resident of Ashland, who
married Sarah Long, a daughter of Francis
Long; Dora, the wife of George Rogers^ of
Licking county, Ohio; Ella, the wife of J.
D. Swacick, of Canton, Ohio; Celesta, wife
of George Watson, of Brown township; and
Henrietta, who resides with her brother, W.
H. Frasher. All were born in Jelloway,
Brown township, and the members of the
family have become important citizens of
various communities.
William H. Frasher, of this review, was
reared and educated in Jelloway, where he
still resides. No event of special importance
occurred to vary the routine of his life dur-
ing the period of his minority. He became
identified with the insurance business in
1876, as a representative of the Farmers'
Home Insurance Company at Jelloway and
has since continued in this line of activity.
He acted as local agent until 1880, and the
following }-ear was made general agent for
the company, serving in that capacity until
1885. During the three succeeding years he
resided in Van Wert, Ohio, where he was in
partnership with J. O. Augustine, in the in-
surance business, representing fourteen dif-
ferent companies, including one life, two
accident and eleven fire insurance companies.
In 1889 he returned tO' Jelloway on account
of ill health, and he now represents the Co-
lumbia Insurance Company, of Dayton; the
Insurance Company of the State of Illinois;
The Central Manufacturing Mutual Com-
pany, of Van Wert; the Ohio Farmers In-
surance Company; the American Accident,
of Chicago ; and is district agent of the
Aetna Life. He has written a large amount
of insurance and his business in this direc-
tion is annually increasing. He has the en-
tire confidence of the companies which he
represents and is regarded as one of their
most capable and trusted representatives in
this portion of Ohio. He also has charge
of two farms, one in Brown township, Knox
county, and the other in Ashland county,
aggregating two hundred acres and consti-
tuting the Frasher estate.
Mr. Frasher is classified among the lead-
ing citizens of his native county and is es-
pecially prominent in behalf of the best in-
terests in Jelloway, where he is now serving
as a member of the school board. In con-
nection with Mr. Hyatt, he was instrumen-
tal in establishing the public school system
at this place and has ever taken an active
part in advancing the cause of education
here. He is a charter member of the
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Knights of Maccabees in Jelloway, and in
his poHtical views he is a stanch Republican.
His value as a man and citizen is widely ac-
knowledged, and in many ways he has left
the impress of his individuality for good
upon the public welfare of his native town.
MILTON M. CUNNINGHAM.
M. M. Cunningham is a prominent old
settler of central Ohio now living on section
12, Pike township, Knox county. The fam-
ily is of Irish lineage and was founded in
America by Mathew Cunningham, who was
born, reared and married in the Emerald
Isle, after which he made a home in the new
world. His son, Mathew Cunningham, Jr.,
the father of our subject, was also born in
Ireland and when a small boy accompanied
his parents on the voyage across the
broad sea, the family locating in Penn-
sylvania, where he was reared. When
a yoimg man he removed tO' \\'"a)'ne
county and there wedded Ary Minta Glas-
gow, a native of the Keystone state, who
with her parents removed to Wayne county.
Both the husband and wife were born in
the same year and died in the same year, at-
taining the age of seventy-five. They began
their domestic life on the farm in Wayne
county, and about 1840 removed to Holmes
county, locating near Nashville. Subse-
quently they came to Knox county and set-
tled upon the farm where our subject now
lives, there spending their remaining days.
They were consistent members of the Pres-
byterian church, taking an active part in its
work, and Mr. Cunningham served as one
of its elders. Politically he was a life-long
Demi)crat, and for twenty-one years served
as justice of the peace in Knox township,
Holmes county. While in Knox county he
filled the same ofiice, discharging his duties
in a most faithful and impartial manner —
a fact thus indicated by his long continu-
ance in the position. He was also township
trustee and assessor, and over the record of
his public career and his private life there
fell nO' shadow of wrong or suspicion of
evil. His wife, in the more quiet circles of
home life, exercised an influence no' less po-
tent for good. She reared her family of
three sons to- become honorable and upright
men. They are : Eli, who now resides in
Pike township; Allen, w^ho is living in Mar-
ion county, Iowa; and the Squire, who was
the second in order oif birth.
Squire Cunningham was only five years
of age when the family removed to Holmes
county, and when a young man he came with
his parents to Knox county. His prelimin-
ary education, acquired in the district
schools, was supplemented by study in the
Nashville select school, and at the time of
his marriage he located on the farm where
he now lives and where he has since de-
voted his energies to the cultivation of the
soil. He has one hundred and forty-two
acres of rich land and annually the fields
return to him a golden tribute in reward for
his care and labor. In his farming meth-
ods he is progressive and enterprising, and
his efforts have gained for him a richly
merited competence.
Mr. Cunningham was married Novem-
ber 3, 1861, to Miss Jane Armstrong, a na-
tive of Brown township, Knox county, and
a daughter of James and Ann (Dunbar)
Armstrong. Their daughter is Ary Minta,
the wife of Squire Fletcher, a prominent
56
A CEXTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
farmer. They reside upon a part of her
father's farm and they now ha\-e four inter-
esting children, two sons and two daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham hold member-
ship in the Presbyterian church, and fratern-
ally he is identified with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is
a Democrat where state and national ques-
tions are involved, but at local elections, he
supports the man whom he thinks best quali-
fied for office regardless of party affiliations.
In 1891 he was elected justice of the peace
and has since served in that capacity. He is
most true and loyal to the public interests
reposed in him, and his official record is one
without blemish. For almost forty years he
has resided upon the farm which is yet his
home, and throughout the community he is
widely known as a gentleman of sterling
worth and unimpeachable integrity.
REV. L. \V. ^lULHAXE.
Rev. Lawrence William Mulhane is the
pastor of St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic
church, of Mount Vernon, and during the
si.xteen years of his connection with the
parish his labors have resulted greatly to
the benefit of the spiritual welfare of his
parishioners and to the growth of the
church and the extension of its influence.
A native of Massachusetts, he was born
February 21, 1856, and is the eldest child of
Dennis and Mary Mulhane. He was but a
boy when his parents removed to Ohio, lo-
cating in Marietta, where the family have
since resided. He pursued his education in
the common schools until twelve years of
age and then entered Marietta Academv in
order to prepare for admission to Marietta
College. He was but fourteen years of
age when he matriculated in the latter in-
stitution, being the youngest student that
ever entered the freshman class of that his-
toric college. In 1871 and again in 1872
he was honored by a place upon the list of
public declaimers, receiving, at the age of
fifteen the second college prize for oratory.
Rev. ]Mulhane began preparation for the
Catholic ministry in September, 1872. when
on the invitation of the late Bishop Rose-
crans he entered St. Aloysius Seminary, in
Columbus, Ohio, then presided over by Dr.
Gallagher, now bishop of Galveston. Here
he remained for four years, taking a one
year's course in philosophy and three in
theology-. In 1876 he became a member
of Bishop Rosecrans' household, and by
private study began to prepare for admis-
sion to the famous college. Propaganda de
Fide, in Rome, Italy. The death of his
friend, the bishop, changed his plans and
not being yet of the required age for the
priesthood he remained at the Episcopal
house, in the meantime writing for the
Catholic Columbian until X^ovember 7,
1879, when he was ordained to the Catholic
priesthood by the late Archbishop Purcell.
He was immediately assigned to duty as
assistant rector of St. Joseph's Cathedral,
in Broad street, Columbus. The following
year, 1880, when Bishop Watterson was ap-
pointed bishop of Columbus, Father Mul-
hane was chosen by him as secretary and
chancellor of the diocese, a position of much
care and responsibility. He held this office
for five years. On the ist of October, 1885,
he was appointed to take charge of St. Vin-
cent de Paul's parish of Mount Vernon.
He found the finances of the parish in a
jC.)l-.^^cMicU.t
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
critical condition and at once began the task
of paying off the debt. This he accom-
plished by the generous aid of the parish-
ioners in exactly seven years. On the ist of
October, 1892, all of the old debt, incurred
previous to his coming, amounting to nearly
twenty thousand dollars, was wiped out.
Besides this he improved the church to the
value of three thousand dollars and has car-
ried on the work untiringly along many
lines, so that it has become a very strong
church, taking a leading position in the
diocese.
The town of Mount Vernon was found-
ed in the year 1805 and four years later the
first Catholic resident took up his abode
here. The first mass ever said in Mount
Vernon was celebrated by Bishop Purcell,
May 23, 1834, at the house of David Mor-
ton, a zealous advocate of the faith. The
next visit of the bishop was made in. the
year 1836 and was held in what was known
as the Banning church. Judge Anthony
Banning, who was also a Protestant minis-
ter, erected a small chapel or church on his
land. He was an extremely liberal man
and while he held tenaciously to his religious
views he accorded to others the same right,
and when the churches and even the court-
house of the town was closed tO' Bishop Pur-
cell he offered his church, and Catholic ser-
vices were therein held and the first Catholic
sermon preached in the town. For many
years after this mass was said in the home
of David Morton by the priest who occasion-
ally visited the growing flock. The number
of Catholic families here steadily increased,
and priests who visited Danville also came
to Mount Vernon until Father Lamy was
appointed pastor of St. Luke's in Danville,
in the fall of 1839, with charge of Mount
Vernon, and was urged by the Bishop to
begin a church here as soon as feasible. In
July, 1842, the telegraph announced "that
the church at IMount Vernon is in course of
erection, Rev. Lamy in charge." It was a
small brick edifice and had been roofed and
plastered when a fire broke out there, de-
stroying everything but the bare walls,
which were partially damaged. After ai
time work was resumed, and the new church
of St. Vincent de Paul was dedicated Sun-
day, October 14, 1849. The pastor at Dan-
ville also had charge of the church of Mount
Vernon until September, 185 1, when Rev.
Julius Brent was given charge of the mis-
sions of Knox county and here he labored
until his death, a period of nearly thirty
years. He was pastor of both Danville and
Mount Vernon until 1874, at which time
he gave up St. Luke's church and devoted
his remaining years to St. Vincent de Paul's.
In 1855 the present brick parochial residence
was built, in 1862 an addition was made to
the church and in 1872 a neat two-story
frame school house was erected and a par-
ochial school opened there in September,
1873. From the death of Father Brent in
1880 until September, 1885, Father Lane
was pastor and was then succeeded by
Father Mulhane, whose service here now
covers more than sixteen years, takings
charge on the ist of October, 1885. His
work, carried on unceasingly, has been of
a nature that has greatly extended the in-
fluence of the church. In addition to the
material improvements he has made in the
church property that have already been men-
tioned, he erected, in 1890, the new school'
building at a cost of ten thousand dollars,,
complete with all modern equipments and
having an enrollment of more than two hun-
S8
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
dred pupils. There are over one thousand
parishioners, one hundred and seventy-five
families and seven hundred communicants.
The different societies of the church are in
good working order and Father Mulhane
has the love and co-operation of his par-
ishioners in an unusual degree. As a
speaker he is clear and logical and his pow-
ers of oratory are of a high order. He is
also a writer of merit and ability and has
contributed largely to church and periodi-
cal publications. Over fifteen years he has
made a study of leprosy and the work of the
church in behalf of those afflicted people.
In 1896 he published a book on the subject,
which attracted wide attention. He has la-
ibored earnestly to induce congress to es-
tablish a national home for lepers and in
January, 1900, he visited Cuba and spent
a month there, making a special study of
leprosy. The result of his investigations
' was given to the world in an article in Don-
ohue's Magazine, which was largely re'ad'
and commended. He has also written works
■on the life of General Rosecrans and also
•of Hon. Frank Hurd, a native of Mount
Vernon and a distinguished Ohio states-
man.
HON. JOSEPH C. DEVIN.
On the judicial and political history of
Knox county Joseph Chambers Devin has
carved his name deeply and it is interwoven
with records which indicate the high-
minded and patriotic statesman, the loyal
citizen, the capable lawyer and the man of
upright principles. More than half a cen-
tury has passed since he arrived in Mount
Vernon and for fifty years he has been a
member of the bar of Knox countv.
Mr. Devin was born in Waterford,
Washington county, Ohio, a son of Michael
and Harriet (Chambers) Devin, the former
a native of Maryland and the latter of Penn-
sylvania. His mother was a sister of Da-
vid Chambers, who at the age of seventeen
years carried dispatches from General Lee to
General Washington in the Revolutionary
war. He afterward resided at Zanesville,
Ohio. In the year 1830 the parents of our
subject removed to McConnellsville, Mor-
gan county, this state, where he attended
school until 1836, when the family went to
Medina county. When a youth of fifteen he
entered Norwalk Academy, at Norwalk,
Ohio, where he pursued his studies for two
years, after which he entered his father's
store and served there as salesman for two
years. In 1846 he matriculated in the Ohio
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, the
school being then under the presidency of
Bishop Edward Thompson, of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. In 1848 he was
graduated in Tundry's Commercial College,
in Cincinnati, and in the winter of 1849 ^H"
g^aged in teaching a commercial college in
Seville, Ohio.
It was in the year 1849 that Mr. Devin
began the study of law in Mcamt Vernon,
under the direction of Columbus Delano and
William R. Sapp, and after continuing his
reading for about two years he was admitted
to the bar in 1851. The following year he
began practice in this city, in partnership
with Hosmer Curtis, a pioneer legal prac-
titioner at this place, with whom he was con-
nected until 1857, when Mr. Curtis removed
to Keokuk, Iowa, and the relationship was
accordingly terntjnated. In 1858 he entered
into partnership with Samuel Israel. At a
later date he was associated with his brother-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
in-law, Henry L. Curtis, and the firm gained
marked prestige among the leading lawyers
at the Knox county bar.
Mr. Devin was reared in the faith of the
Whig party, his father being an advocate of
its principles, and as he neared his majority,
he, too, endorsed its platform, but when its
strength was on the wan and new issues gave
rise to the Republican party he joined its
ranks, became one of its leading represent-
atives in Ohio and was a delegate to the
national Republican convention in Philadel-
phia, which nominated Fremont for the
presidency in 1856. In 1863 he was elected
to represent his district in the state senate.
In 1862 this district, comprising Knox, Mor-
row, Wayne and Holmes counties, had given
a majority of thirty-two hundred against the
Republican party, but in the interval which
had elapsed its strength had been greatly
augmented and the personal popularity and
the confidence reposed in the ability of Mr.
Devin were also strong elements in the vic-
tory of 1863. He served on a number of
important committees in the senate and was
chairman of the committee on benevolent
institutions. A ripe scholar, a good speaker
and above all a patriotic citizen, he proved
a very valuable member of the upper house
of the Ohio assembly. For a number of
years he advocated on the public platform
his party's interests in Knox and other coun-
ties during each campaign.
In 1859 Mr. Devin was married to Miss
Ella I. Curtis, a daughter of Hon. Henry
B. Curtis, now deceased, whose sketch ap-
pears elsewhere in this volume. They have
two surviving children, Henry C, a well-
known attorney of Mount Vernon, and Eliz-
abeth D., the wife of William H. Pratt,
general manager of the structural depart-
ment of the Illinois Steel Company, in
Chicago.
Such is the brief history of one whose
career has been a long and useful one. Mr.
Devin is now the oldest living member of
the Knox county bar, but he lias retired from
the active practice of his profession.
HENRY CURTIS DEVIN.
Much has been written concerning the
power of environment and of hereditv in
shaping the course of the individual and
while both may have had their effect upon
the career oif Mr. Devin in his choice of the
legal profession as a life work, yet no mat-
ter what one's inherited tendencies or tal-
ent, such at best is merely a latent element
and must feel the awakening touch of eft'ort
to be of avail in this busy world. Although
surrounded by a legal atmosphere and with
the example of an illustrious grandfather
and father to stimulate him, Henry Curtis
Devin has nevertheless had to place his de-
pendence upon his intellectual power, stead-
fast application and unremitting study to
secure success — and he has secured it, being
now recognized as one of the strong mem-
bers of the Knox county bar.
He was born in Mount Vernon, March
27, 1868, a son of Joseph Chambers and
Ella I. (Curtis) Devin, oif whom mention
is made on a preceding page. In the pub-
lic schools he obtained his preliminary edu-
cation, which was supplemented by a course
in Kenyon College, in which he was gradu-
ated with the degree of Bachelor of Philoso-
phy in 1888, and after taking post graduate
work his alma mater conferred upon him
6o
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the degree of ]\Iaster of Arts. He read law
under the guidance of his father, and in
1893 was admitted to the bar. The follow-
ing year he began practice in his native city,
entering into partnership with the Hon. H.
D. Critchfield, who was appointed general
counsel for the United States and Federal
Telephone Companies, at Cleveland in
1900. at which time their business relation
was terminated. Mr. Devin then became
a partner of D. E. Sapp, under the firm
name of Sapp & Devin and thus the firm
stands to-day. He is enjoying a large law
practice and is also connected with several
important business enterprises, being secre-
tary of the Mount Vernon Telephone Com-
pany, vice-president of the Millersburg Elec-
tric Light Company, a director of the Mount
Vernon Gas Light Company and a direc-
tor of the Sunbury & Galena Telephone
Company. His business ability proves a
desired factor in the successful control of
these organizations.
Mr. Devin was united in marriage to
iNIiss Fannie E. Marsh, of Indianapolis, In-
diana, a daughter of Major F. E. Marsh,
vice-president of the Interstate Life Insur-
ance Company. They have two children —
Fletcher M. and Elizabeth Curtis, aged re-
spectively five and two years. Mr. Devin
is a very prominent Mason and has filled the
presiding chair in all the Masonic bodies in
Mount Vernon, with the exception of the
, commandery, in which he is now serving as
generalissimo. He is also connected with
the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent,
Protective Order of Elks. His life is in
harrruony with the fraternal teachings of
those orders. He is also a high type of the
business man of the times — alert, enterpris-
ing and progressive, quick to note and im-
prove an opportunity and with laudable am-
bition advancing his interests along legiti-
mate lines.
ARTHUR C. CASSELL.
The prominent citizen of Morris town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is the
title of this sketch, is one of the leading
farmers in his vicinity. He was bom on
the farm, where he now lives, in Morris
township, March 15, 185 1, a son of Bascom
S. and Emeline Augusta (Norton) Cassell
and a grandson of George and Sarah (Nel-
son) Cassell. George Cassell was a son of
John Cassell, who was born in Maryland
and died there at a ripe old age. He mar-
ried Sarah Nelson and they had children,
as follows : Bascom' S. ; Sarah, who mar-
ried John Lamb ; and John Nelson, who mar-
ried Jennie Staggers and lives at Aurora,
Nebraska. Captain John Nelson Cassell
raised a company for the Twentieth Regi-
ment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was
in nearly every engagement in which that
body participated. Bascom S. Cassell was
born in Maryland October 9, 1824, and was
brought to Knox county, Ohio, at the age
of twelve years, and during the remainder
of his life lived on the farm on which he
died January 10, 190 1. He was an enter-
prising farmer and business man and was
well versed in the living topics of his day.
Politically he was a strong Republican and
he wielded much influence in his community
and held numerous township offices. He
was an ardent member of the Mount Ver-
non Congregational church. In the closing
years of his life he often referred to the
primitive schools of Knox county, in which
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
he received his early education, and in which
he was a teacher for several terms. He mar-
ried Emeline Augusta Norton, who bore
him the following named children: Ar-
thur Charles; Mary, at home; and Gertrude,
who was educated in the public schools of
Knox county and at Oberlin College, at
which institution she was graduated with
high honors. She is the wife of Rev. New-
ton W. Bates, a Congregational minister,
her classmate in Oberlin, and now located
at West Bloomfield, New York. The
mother died February 7, 1897.
Arthur Charles Cassell was educated in
the common schools, also at Mount Vernon
College and at Oberlin. He chose agricul-
tural pursuits for his vocation and soon de-
veloped into a progressive, up-to-date farm-
er. He is an active member of Green Val-
ley Lodge of Grangers, in which he has
taken a deep interest since his identification
with that body. As a Republican he takes
a leading part in local politics. He is a
member of the Congregational church of
Mount Vernon. December 2, 1892, he mar-
ried Eva, a daughter of Frederick William
and Sarah Jane (Hoke) Vohl, who has
borne him three children, whom they named
GeoTge Leland, Charles Howard and Dor-
othy Anetta. Frederick William Vohl was
born in Germany November 5, 1832. When
he was nineteen years of age he set sail for
American soil and in 1851 settled in Knox
county, Ohio. He was a butcher by trade,
which he followed for many years in Mount
Vernon. Early in life he became a Mason,
and later a member of the Order of Red
Men. He is past grand in Lodge No. 20,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of
Mount Vernon, and represented that body in
the grand lodge of the state. He now lives
on a farm in Clinton township. The Cas-
sell farm, now consisting of two hundred
and fourteen acres, was secured by George
Cassell, who owned several hundred acres,
and here spent his life, dying at about the
age of seventy-five years. He built the pres-
ent basement barn about sixty years ago.
The old residence erected by Bascom Cassell
was burned some years since, after which
he erected the present one. Sarah J. Hoke,
who became his wife, was a native of Penn-
sylvania, and died when Mrs. Cassell was a
small child.
FRANKLIN HARPER.
Franklin Harper, who has long been a
representative of the journalistic interests of
Knox county, was born in Mount Vernon
April 18, 1858. His father, the Hon. Lecky
Harper, was for forty years editor of the
Mount Vernon Banner. The subject of this
sketch learned the printing business in his
father's office and was educated in the pub-
lic schools of Mount Vernon, being gradu-
ated in 1877. He read law in the office of
Colonel W. C. Cooper and was admitted to
the bar in 1879. The following year he
opened an office for the practice of his pro-
fession, but in June, 1882, an opportunity
was offered him to enter the newspaper bus-
iness, a strong taste for which he inherited,
and he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he
became a partner of George F. Hunter in
the publication o-f the Chillicothe Advertiser.
While residing there, on the 5th of June,
1890, Mr. Harper was united in marriage to
Miss Bertha Hanby, of Chillicothe, by
which union two sons have been born, Don-
ald and Kenneth.
62
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Upon the death of his father, in 1895,
Mr. Harper sold his interest in the Chilh-
cothe Advertiser and returned to Mount
Vernon in November of that year, forming
a partnership with his brother, William H.
Harper, in the publication of The Banner,
which partnership was terminated in June,
1896, by the retirement of his brother. The
Banner had been published as a weekly paper
until June 20, 1898, when Mr. Harper be-
gan the issue of daily and semi-weekly pa-
pers, which have so continued.
Mr. Harper is a member of the Masonic
bodies and the Elks, being a past exalted
ruler of the latter and a member of the
board of trustees of the Masonic Temple
Company. He is also a trustee of the Mount
Vernon Board of Trade. In politics Mr.
Harper is a Democrat and has taken an ac-
tive and prominent part in the councils of
his party, but has never held a public office.
He has been a member of the Democratic
state committee of Ohio several times, and
was a delegate from the fourteenth Ohio
district to the Democratic national conven-
tion in 1896.
COLUMBUS EWALT.
In professional career advancement must
depend largely upon individual merit. The
aid of wealth or influential friends availeth
little or naught, for success much rest upon
broad and accurate knowledge of the prin-
ciple of the science which the individual rep-
resents in his professional life. When ad-
vancement is secured, it is therefore evidence
of ability of earnest effort and of strong
purpose. These qualities have, during the
years of his connection with the bar won for
Columbus EwaJt a creditable position among
the lawyers of Knox county and will gain
for him still greater importance in the fu-
ture. He is now serving his second term as
prosecuting attorney for the county and his
re-election is an indication of the trust re-
posed in him.
Mr. Ewalt was born in Liberty township,
Knox county, in 1865, and is a representa-
tive of one of the oldest families in this part
of the state, almost ninety years having
passed since his great-grandfather, John
Ewalt, sought a home here. The family is
of German lineage and was founded in
America in colonial days. John Ewalt was
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in
1760, and there resided until 1813, when
with his family he started westward, travel-
ing in the slow manner of the times until
he arrived in Clinton township, Knox coun-
ty, Ohio. Here he took up his abode just
west of Mount Vernon. He brought with
him his eleven children, whose descendants
are now largely scattered over the west. His
death occurred in this locality. His son,
Richard Ewalt, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was one of the numerous family, and
in Knox county he aided in the arduous
task of reclaiming wild land for purposes
of civilization and also shared in the various
hardships and trials of frontier life. He
married Miss Phoebe Douglas and among
their children was William D. Ewalt. The
last named was the father of our subject and
was born in Morris township, this county,
in 1828. He married Rizpah Moxley, a
daughter of Stephen Moxley, who came to
Knox county, Ohio, from Hagerstown,
Maryland, in 1833, and located in Liberty
township, where he spent his remaining days.
The latter married Miss Watkins who was
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
63
also a native of Maryland and died soon
after her arrival in the Buckeye state. He
then wedded Miss Brown, of Liberty town-
ship. Mr. and Mrs. William D. Ewalt be-
came the parents of six sons older than our
subject and three daughters younger, mak-
ing ten children in all. One son, Clement
v., died at the age of twenty-two years, and
a daughter, Cora, passed away at the age of
fourteen. The others are : Cassius R., a
farmer of Liberty township, Knox county;
Stephen D., of Bucyrus, Ohio; Frank L.,
who is also living in Bucyrus; Dallas R.,
a contractor of Chicago, Illinois; Allan M.,
a resident farmer of Liberty township; Co-
lumbus, of this review; Flora, who resides
in Liberty township ; and Hattie M., a teach-
er of Olympia, Washington.
In the public schools of this county Co-
lumbus Ewalt obtained his early education,
which was supplemented by study in Ohio
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and at
Ada, Ohio. For five years he successfully
engaged in teaching in this county, but this
was merely a preliminary business step. Af-
ter reading law with Judge Adams, of
Mount Vernon, he was admitted to the bar
and for nine years has been a practitioner
at Mount Vernon, winning prominence as
the years have passed by reason of his fa-
miliarity with legal principles, his careful
preparation of cases and a mind which read-
ily determines the salient point in litigation.
Mr. Ewalt was united in marriage, in
Mount Vernon, to Miss Emma Blair, a
daughter of William H. Blair, formerly a
well-known citizen of this place but now
deceased. The lady for several prior to her
marriage taught school in Mount Vernon,
and, like her husband, ranks high in social
circles where true worth and intelligence are |
at par. He is identified with the Knights of
Pythias and Masonic fraternities and is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
His political support is given the Democ-
racy and. on its ticket he was elected pros-
ecuting attorney for Knox county in 1897
and again in 1900 and his present term will
conclude an incumbency of six years. There
has been nothing sensational in his career,
every step has been thoughtfully and delib-
erately made and every advance has been at
the cost of hard and self-denying labor. He
stands to-day a strong man — strong in the
consciousness of well spent years, strong to
plan and perform and strong in his credit
and good name.
ABRAHAM MORNINGSTAR.
The honored subject of this review has
spent his entire life in Knox county, where
he has lived and labored to goodly ends, and
it is with gratification that we offer in this
publication a brief review of his genealogy
and personal career. Mr. Morningstar was
born in Butler township, Knox county,
Ohio, on the 27th of May, 1852, and in the
county of his nativity he was reared to the
life of a farmer boy, while the common
schools of his locality afforded him his edu-
cational privileges. At the age of twenty-
one years he began the battle of life for him-
self, working on"the shares on the home
farm until his marriage, which occurred on
the 7th of August, 1 88 1, Miss Nellie Purdy
becoming his wife. Soon after their mar-
riage Mr. and Mrs. Morningstar removed to
a farm of sixty-seven acres, which he had
previously purchased and where they made
154
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
their home for one year, on the expiration
of which period they sold that tract and pur-
chased one hundred and sixty-one acres in
Butler township. At that time the land was
in its primitive condition, but Mr. Morning-
star placed his fields under a fine state of
cultivation, erected good and substantial
buildings, and in many other ways added to
the value and attractive appearance of the
place. In 1892, however, he left that farm
and purchased the land on which he now re-
sides, located in College township and ad-
joining the village of Gambler. It com-
prises thirty-one acres, and has been placed
under an excellent state of improvement;
and he still retains possession of his farm in
Butler township, thus making him one of the
leading and influential agriculturists of the
county.
In politics he is a Democrat, exerting his
right of franchise in support O'f the men and
measures of that party. In his social rela-
tions he is a member of the Grange. Mr.
Morningstar is one of the well-known men
of Knox county, and all who are at all famil-
iar with his record admire and respect him
for all he has accomplished. His life his-
tory contains many lessons which may well
be heeded, for it illustrates what can be ac-
complished through energy, enterprise and
earnest purpose. He is to-day the owner of
valuable land, and all his possessions stand
as monuments to his thrift and enterprise.
FRANK V. OWEN.
From- a very early period in the develop-
ment of Knox county the name of Owen has
been associated with its historv. for War-
ren Owen, the grandfather of our subject,
leaving his home in the Green Moimtain
state, emigrated to Ohio when this locality
was an almost uninhabited region. Here
he aided in reclaiming the wild land for pur-
poses of civilization and for a number of
years was a leading farmer here, but died
in Delaware county, Ohio, at the advanced
age of ninety-four years. His son, Gilbert
R. Owen, the father of Frank V., was born
on the ol-d family homestead in Middleberry
township, Knox county, and there spent his
entire life, devoting his energies to agricul-
tural pursuits. As a companion and help-
mate for the journey of life he chose Miss
Elizabeth Green, a daughter of Benjamin
Green, who came from Baltimore, Mary-
land, to Ohio, and died in Perry township,
i Morrow county. Mr. Owen died in 1863,
at the age of thirty-eight years.
Frank V. Owen was born in Middle-
berry township, Knox county, in 1857, and
at the usual age entered the public schools,
therein mastering the usual branches of
knowledge that constitute the curriculum in
such institutions. His law studies were pur-
sued in the office and under the direction
of the firm of Cooper & Moore, and in 1884
he was admitted to the bar, since which time
he has maintained an office in Mount Ver-
non and now has a very extensive clientage
of a distinctively representative character.
He has tried many personal injury cases and
engages in general practice. On his admis-
sion to the bar he did not consider his stud-
ies finished, but is continually adding to his
knowledge and in tlie preparation of cases
reviews every authority bearing upon the
points in issue.
In this county, in 1S94, was celebrated
the marriaee of Mr. Owen and Miss Bessie
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
65
Johnson, of Mount Vernon, a daughter of
Scott Johnson. They have two children,
EHzabeth and' Isabella, and by a former
marriage Mr. Owen had two sons — Charles,
who is a graduate of the high school of
Mount Vernon and of Kenyon College and
is now in Dayton; and Robert, who is a stu-
dent in the Mount Vernon schools. So-
cially Mr. Owen is connected with the
Knights of Pythias lodge, and politically he
is a Republican. In 1887 he was elected
to the state legislature and served on some
of the most important committees, and at
once became an active and earnest advocate
of those measures that were of most worth
and importance to the citizens oi the state,
proving himself a capable member. In 1888
he introduced in the house a measure re-
quiring all saloons to be closed on Sunday
and it became a law and is now on the stat-
ute books, not only of the state of Ohio, but
many other states have copied from it. The
law bears the name of its author and is
known as the "Owen Sunday Closing Law."
At the end of his first term he declined a
second nomination, preferring to devote his
entire time to his law practice, which had
grown to large proportions. Mr. Owen
is distinctively a self-made-man, having
climbed from the bottom, round by round,
imtil to-day his capability as a lawyer is
widely recognized and is attested by the
many favorable verdicts which he gains for
his clients.
GEORGE W. PORTERFIELD.
The value of good Irish blood as a fac-
tor in American civilization has been dem-
onstrated in all parts of our country. In
his paternal line of descent George W. Por-
terfield, who is a successful farmer on sec-
tion 2, Clay township, Knox county, Ohio,
is of Irish extraction. He was born on the
farm on which he now lives April 3, 1835,
a son of Samuel C. Porterfield, who was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
and was reared and married in Venango
county in the same state. In 18 15 Samuel
C. Porterfield emigrated from his old Penn-
sylvania home to Knox county, Ohio, and
located in the woods on section 2 in Clay
township. The forests were full of wild
game, and Indians roamed at will in con-
siderable numbers. He made a little clear-
ing, on which he built a small log house, and
there the subject of this sketch was born
twenty years later, and thus began his career
as a pioneer in the Ohio wilderness.
Samuel C. Porterfield was in religion an
adherent of the Presbyterian faith and dur-
ing his active years took a helpful part in the
work of his church, in which he held im-
portant offices. Originally a Whig in poli-
tics, he naturally became a Republican upon
the organization of that party. He was in-
fluential in local affairs and for some years
filled the office of justice of the peace and
at different times was elected to other town-
ship offices. He was a charter member of
the Masonic lodge at Bladensburg, and was
prominent in many affairs throughout the
county. He died in 1865. Samuel Porter-
field, father of Samuel C. Porterfield, and
grandfather of George W. Porterfield, was
born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
and his father, the great-grandfather of the
subject of this sketch, was born and reared
in the Emerald Isle.
Eliza Stevenson, who married Samuel
C. Porterfield, and was the mother of George
66
A CENTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
W. Porterfield, was born and passed her
early life in Virginia and lived to be sev-
enty-two years old. George Stevenson, her
father, was a soldier in the American army
in the Revolutionary war and at one time
was captured by Indians, making his es-
cape only after an exciting experience. The
Stevensons were of Scotch-Irish extraction.
Samuel C. Porterfield saw active service in
the war of 1812-14, which was afterward
recognized by the government in a substan-
tial way. His wife bore him ten children,
named as follows, in the order of their na-
tivity: Nancy, William, Sarah, Samuel,
James, John, Robert, Elizabeth, George W.
and Catharine. Of these only George W.
and Elizabeth are living.
George W. Porterfield, the ninth in or-
der of birth of the children of Samuel C.
and Eliza (Stevenson) Porterfield, passed
his boyhood and youth on the farm which
is now his homestead. His school days were
spent in an old-fashioned log school house,
with puncheon floor and slab benches and
desks, which stood near his home, and at
the Martinsburg Academy, at which he was
a student about a year. After completing
his educational course he taught school in
Kno'X county four years, when failing health
compelled him to abandon the school room
and seek outdoor life on the farm. He was
married September 29, 1859, to Priscilla
Hughes, who resided a mile and a half south
of Martinsburg, Clay township, Knox coun-
ty, Ohio'. She was a daughter of John and
Mary A. (Haver) Hughes, who were early
settlers in the county. Mrs. Hughes, who
was the third in order of birth oi her par-
ents family of five children, also finished her
education at the Martinsburg Academy. She
has borne her husband nine children, named
as follows, and of whom seven are living :
Mary E., who married J. M. Porterfield;
Jessie S., who married Henry Rice; Eliza
O., who married William Melick; Estrella,
who married E. L. Wolfe; Charles G., who
was born on the night of the day on which
General Grant was elected president, and
married Violla Wolfe; Ida, who is a mem-
ber of her father's household ; Thomas, who
assists his father in the management of
his farm; Libbie, who became a successful
teacher at the age of sixteen and died at the
age of twenty-three; and Minnie B., who
died in childhood.
After his marriage Mr. Porterfield
bought the old Porterfield homestead of his
father and has since been engaged quite ex-
tensively in the wool and stock trade. His
farm, which consists of four hundred acres,
is supplied with good buildings and ade-
quate equipments of all kinds, also liberally
stocked with horses, cattle, sheep and swine.
For a time Mr. Porterfield was engaged in
merchandising at Bladensburg. He is a
man of much enterprise and a public-spir-
ited and patriotic citizen. A strict Re-
publican, he wields considerable influence
in his party, and has ably served his fellow
townsmen in the office of justice of the
peace. He is not a member of any church,
but is liberal in his contributions toward the
support of all the churches near his home,
especially the Presbyterian church, at the
services of which he and his family are at-
tendants. He is a life-long resident of the
township, and the sixty-seven years he has
lived here have not been lived in vain, for
not only has he prospered financially, but he
has gained a reputation as an upright, pro-
gressive citizen of which any man might be
proud.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
67
JOSEPH S. DAVIS.
By the death of this honorable and up-
right citizen the community sustained an
irreparable loss and was deprived of the
presence of one whom it had come to look
-upon as a benefactor and friend. Death
often' removes from our midst those whom
we can ill afford to spare, whose lives have
been all that is exemplary of the true and
thereby really great citizen. Such a one was
Mr. Davis, whose whole career, business,
political and social, served as a model to the
young and an inspiratiom to the aged. He
honored the city which honored him with
many positions of public trust. His labors
proved of great benefit to the public and by
hisi usefulness he created a memory whose
perpetuation does not depend upon brick and
stone, but upon the spontaneous and freewill
offering of a great and enlightened people.
Mr. Davis was born in Pickaway county,
Ohio, November 21, 1812, a son of Henry
and Avis Davis. His father was a native
of Cornish, New Hampshire, and was mar-
ried in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Penn-
sylvania, to Avis Townsend, who was born
in that place. Subsequently they removed
to Ohio, locating in Ross county in 1808,
while in 181 1 they went to Pickaway coun-
ty and in 18 15 took up their abode in Hills-
boTO', Highland county, where the parents
of our subject spent their remaining days.
The father was a merchant of Chillicothe,
and through the conduct of his commercial
pursuits provided for his family. He had
four sons : Dr. Edwin Davis, of New York
city, now deceased; Rev. Werter Rennick
Davis, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal
church, who spent most of his life in Bald-
win City, Kansas, where he was president
of the Baldwin University; Dr. William
Davis, of Peru, Ohio; and the subject of
this review, who was the second in order of
birth. All were students in Gambier Col-
lege, in Knox county, were Episcopalians,
with the exception of one, in religious faith
and all have now passed away.
Joseph Slocumi Davis, whose name in-
troduces this review, spent his youth in his
parents' home and in early life assisted his
father in the store. His preliminary educa-
tion, acquired in the common schools, was
supplemented by a preparatory course in
Gambier, Ohio, where he began his studies
in 1829. He afterward entered Kenyon
College, in which he was graduated in the
class of 1835, and then, having determined
to make the practice of law his life work, he
began reading in the law office of Benjamin
S. Brown, of Mount Vernon. In 1836-37
he was a student in the Cincinnati Law
School and in the latter year was admitted
to the bar. He began practice in connection
with Hon. Columbus Delano, but owing to
a severe illness was obliged to retire after
some years O'f practice. An analytical mind,
strong reasoning powers and keen intellectu-
ality made him a powerful lawyer at the
Knox county bar. He became identified
with journalistic interests in 1848, being the
first editor of the Line Whig, which paper
advocated the election of General Zachary
Taylor as president. In 1850 he was ap-
pointed deputy United States marshal and
took the census of Knox county, while in
1849, 1850, 185 i> 1866, 1868, 1870 and
1871 he was elected mayor of Mount
Vernon. It is certainly an indication
of his ability and the confidence re-
posed in him' that he tvas several times
recalled to the office after retirement
68
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
therefrom. Hisi administration was ever
practical and progressive. He supported
all measures which he believed would
prove of public benefit which were not of an
extravagant nature and was always found
on the side of reform and improvement. His
labors proved very helpful and acceptable to
the city and well did he deserve the honor of
being seven times called to- be the chief ex-
ecutive of his city. He was twice elected
probate judge of Knox county, his last term
expiring in 1861. In 1864 he was appointed
by President Lincoln a paymaster in the
army and for a quarter of a centeury he was
a member of the school board of Mount Ver-
non, acting as its president for nine years.
The cause of education found in him a warm
friend and he did all in his power to raise
the standard of intellectual attainment in
the city. In 1869 the directors of the Cleve-
land, Mount Vernon & Delaware Railroad
Company elected him secretary and he held
that position for quite a number of years.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage to
Miss Sarah Moore, of Connellsville, Penn-
sylvania, a daughter of Dr. Robert Moore,
who came to Ohio at an early day, but after-
ward returned to Connellsville, following
the failure of the Owlcreek Bank. There
he soon died. His family later again came
to Ohio and here his daughter became the
wife of Joseph S. Davis. By the marriage
were born four children : Henry, who
served in the Union army during the Civil
war as captain of Company H, Twentieth
Ohio Regiment, afterward located in Santa
Fe, New Mexico. He was a very prominent
Mason and died January i, 1901, at the age
of sixty-four years. Mary Davis died in
1886. RoUin H. Davis, the second son,
learned the jewelry business with William
Brown of Mount Vernon and afterward lo-
cated in Warren, Pennsylvania, where he
conducted a jewelry store until his death.
The daughter, Anna Davis, is now the
widow of John W. Hall, late of Columbus,
Ohio, in which city he owned and edited the
Industrial Union. They had two sons, Rol-
lin Davis and Joseph John, who are now in
business in Mount Vernon. Their mother,
Mrs. John W. Hall, is now living in this
city in her father's old homestead.
The death of Joseph H. Davis occurred
in Mount Vernon in December, 1884, when
he was seventy-two years of age and his
wife passed away May 3, 1879. They
ranked among the most prominent citizens
of Mount Vernon. Mr. Davis was a man
of firm convictions and was prompt and con-
scientious in the discharge of public and pri-
vate trusts. His was a sturdy American
character and a stalwart patriotism and he
had the strongest attachment for our free
institutions and was ever willing to make
any personal sacrifice for their preservation.
He was of stern integrity and honesty of
purpose and despised all unworthy or ques-
tionable means to secure success in any un-
dertaking or for any purpose or to promote
his own advancement in any direction,
whether political or otlierwise. Not even
the tongue of calumny ever uttered a word
to the contrary nor did the malevolence of
detraction dare to assail his good name.
RICHARD D. PURDY.
The well-known citizen of Clay township,
Knox county, whose name is the title of this
sketch and who lives in section seven in the
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
69
township mentioned, is one of the leading
farmers in his vicinity. His homestead farm
contains one hundred and twenty acres and
he has already divided two hundred and
thirty-four acres among his sons. He is
locally prominent as a Democrat, and for
nine years held the office O'f justice of the
peace in Harrison township and was also
trustee of that township. In many ways he
is one of the influential men of Knox
county.
Richard D. Purdy was born in Holmes
couniy, Ohio', November 9, 1833, a son of
Elijah Purdy, a native of Wayne county,
Pennsylvania, who settled in Holmes coun-
ty when he was eighteen years old and there
married. He began life in the woods on
government land which he purchased, and
improved a large farm, on which he died in
his seventy-second year. He was a life-long
member of the old-school Baptist church and
often preached the gospel to^ his fellow pio-
neers. A Democrat in politics, he was active
in local affairs and filled the office of town-
ship trustee, also discharged other import-
ant official duties. Ephraim Purdy, father
of Elijah and grandfather of Richard D.,
was born and lived out his entire life in
Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he was
a well-to-do farmer. Clarinda Babcock,
who married Elijah Purdy, and was the
mother of Richard D. Purdy, was born and
reared in Coshocton county, Ohio, and lived
to be seventy-four years old. Her father,
Richard Babcock, was a pioneer and be-
came a prominent farmer in Coshocton
county, where he died at about the age of
sixty years. By his marriage with Miss
Babcock, Elijah Purdy became the father of
ten children, six sons and four daughters, all
of whom lived to maturitv and married,
bringing toi grandfather and grandmother
Purdy two hundred and six descendants.
The subject oi this sketch was the sixth
child and third son of his parents. He was
reared under the parental roof and educated
in the common schools, and at the age of
sixteen years began a three years' appren-
ticeship at the carpenter's trade and for one
year thereafter worked as a journeyman
carpenter.
February 8, 1854, Richard D. Purdy
married Rachel Purdy, a native of Holmes
county, Ohio, and a daughter oif Nathaniel
and Chloe (Nicholson) Purdy. Mrs. Pur-
dy's parents were born and reared in Wayne
county, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Purdy was
the thirteenth in order of birth of their fam-
ily of fourteen children, five sons and seven
daughters of whom grew to manhood and
womanhood and married. Mrs. Purdy, who
was their sixth daughter, passed her girlhood
in her native county. In 1854, shortly after
his marriage, Mr. Purdy located at Spencer-
ville, Allen county, Ohio, where he carried
on a carpenter business for ten years. In
June, 1864, he removed to Jefferson county,
Kansas, and bought a farm near Rising
Sun, where he remained for three years.
During that time he was employed at four
dollars per day in building railway bridges
and depots on the line of the Union
Pacific Railroad between its eastern ter-
minus land Denver. In 1867 failing
health compelled him to relinquish act-
ive work as a carpenter and he sold
his farm in Kansas and located in Knox
county, a few miles east of Gambler, where
he bought a, farm and there lived un-
til 1876, when he purchased and removed to
his present farm in Clay township. On
this farm, while continuing carpenter work
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
in a general way, he made many improve-
ments, including the erection of a good resi-
dence, ample barns and out buildings. About
eight years ago he practically retired from
active life.
Richard D. and Rachel (Purdy) Purdy
have seven children and eleven grandchil-
dren. Their five sons and two daughters
are here mentioned in the order of their
birth : Julia Ann, who married Simon
Dudgeon, of Gambler, Ohio; Clarinda V.,
who married Abe Morningstar, of Gambler,
Ohio; Jasper M., who married Hattie Moch-
wart, of Allen county, Ohio; Emery E., who
married Samantha Lepley and lives at Ches-
terv-ille, Morrow count}-, Ohao; John C,
who married Lesta Oldaker and assists his
father in the management of the home farm ;
Chauncey V., who married Emma Kerr and
lives in Pleasant township, Knox county;
and Henry D.
THOMAS A. INKS.
The prominent citizen of Fredericktown,
Ohic, whose name is above, is no less
well known as a mason than as a farm-
er, and he is an active member of the
Presbyterian church. A son of John
and Elizabeth (Seiner) Inks, he was bom
in Clinton township, this county, No-
vember 3, 1846, and was educated in the
public schools in this county. He has lived
in Wayne township since November 4, 1851,
when his parents took up their residence
there. All of his active years have been de-
voted to farming, in which he has won sat-
isfactory success. He has given his atten-
tion to the affairs of his township and has
ably filled the office of township trustee and
discharged other important obligations.
Mr. Inks was married December 22,
1875, to Araminta Pernina Lyon, and they
have five children, named Edward Newton,
Hattie L., John William, Mary Elizabeth
and Lewis. John Inks, the father of
Thomas A. Inks, was born in Shropshire,
England. Emigrating to America, he locat-
ed at ]\Iount Vernon, Ohio, and became a
farmer there. Elizabeth Seiner, whom he
married, was born in Berks county, Pennsyl-
vania, and died in 1876. Araminta Pernina
Lyon, who married Thomas A. Inks, was
born in Wayne township, Knox county,
Ohio, July 17, 1850, a daughter of William
and Louisa (Keyes) Lyon. She received
her education in the public schools near her
childhood home and early identified herself
with the Presb}'terian church, of which she
is an active member.
\\'illiam Lyon, father of Mrs. Inks, was
born in ^^'ayne township, Knox county,
Ohio, August 14, 181 1, and was a life-long
farmer. In religion his parents affiliated
with the Methodist church and in politics he
was a Democrat. He married Louisa Keyes,
October 6, 1838, and she bore him seven
children, all of whom are living: Newton,
Marion, Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Clotilda,
Araminta Pernina, Mertie Jane and Harriet
R. William Lyon, the father of Mrs. Inks,
was a son of Simeon Lj-on, who came to
Ohio from New Jersey. Simeon Lyon was
born August 22, 1767, and married Hannah
Serring, who was born October 14, 1772.
They had eleven chilciren, none of whom
survive: Mehetabel, Abigail, Pernina, Dan-
iel, Benjamin, Eliza, William, Jane, Asher,
Phcebe Ann and Caroline. Simeon Lyon
was a son of Ephraim Lyon, a Revolution-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ary soldier. He (Simeon) settled in Wayne
township, KnoQc county, Ohio, in 1806, on
land purchased by his father, who always
resided in New Jersey.
JOHN O. HARRIS.
In these days of up-to-date farming it is
a pleasure to note the essential facts in the
career of a farmer who is in some ways a
leader in his class in the community in which
he lives. Such a farmer is John O. Harris,
of Clay township, KnO'X county, Ohio, who
is the owner of one hundred and eight acres
of land comprising his homestead and one
hundred and twenty acres constituting an
independent farm in Harrison township.
Mr. Harris was born in Jackson town-
ship. Knox county, Ohio, March 29, 1849, ^
son of Samuel Harris, a native of Ohio,
who was an early settler in the county. Eli-
jah Harris, father of Samuel Harris and
grandfather of John O. Harris, was also
a pioneer in Knox county. Sarah Hill, who
married Samuel Harris and became the
mother of the subject of this sketch, was a
native of Knox county. Samuel Harris
died a the age of seventy-eight years; his
wife at the age of sixty-five years. They
were the parents of one daughter and two
sons, and our subject was the youngest of
their three children.
John O. Harris was reared in Clay town-
ship and educated in the common schools in
his vicinity. He has become prominent as a
farmer, is an active member of the Disci-
ple church, and is locally influential in the
Democratic party. He was married in
June, 1876, to Miss Lydia Cochren, a na-
tive of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daugh-
ter of John and Delia A. (Walker) Cochren.
A biographical sketch of her father appears
on another page of this work. She was
reared in Howard township, Knox county,
and is an accomplished woman, highly es-
teemed by all who know her. She has borne
her husband a son and a daughter named
Vincie Craig and Sallie.
JOHN WAUGH.
For many years this gentleman has been
actively identified with the business interests
of Knox county, and is one of its honored
and highly esteemed citizens. His posses-
sions have been principally acquired through
his own efforts, and as the result of his con-
secutive endeavor he has won a place among
the substantial men of his community.
Mr. Waugh was born in Washington
county, Maryland, on the 25th of December,
1816. His father died before his birth, and
his mother afterward married Timothy
Downing, by whom she had two children.
By her first marriage she became the mother
of two children also, — Lewis and John.
When the latter was but six years of age he
was bound out to Joseph Brown, with whom
he remained for one year, and he then came
to Knox county, Ohio, with Philip H.
Brown, the latter purchasing a farm in Mon-
roe township, and our subject remained with
that gentleman until his fifteenth year. After
reaching his fifteenth year Mr. Waugh went
to Mount Vernon, where he entered upon a
five years' apprenticeship at the tailor's
trade, and during that entire time he re-
ceived only his board and clothes in compen-
72
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sation for his services. After completing
his apprenticeship he came to Gambier and
embarked in the tailoring business on his
own account, forming a partnership with
a Mr. Williams, which relationship was con-
tinued for seven years, and from that time
until 1896 he carried on the business alone.
He has ever been upright and honorable in
all his dealings, his word at all times being
considered as good as his bond, and his well-
directed efforts have been crowned with a
high degree of success. He now owns a
valuable farm of two hundred and forty
acres in College township, Knox county,'
and also has a seven hundred and twenty
acre tract in Story county, Iowa.
Mr. Waugh married Miss Minerva Law-
rence, who was a prominent member and
active worker in the Methodist Episcopal
church, and died in 1889. Mr. Waugh is
a worthy representative ^l that class of citi-
zens who lead ciuiet, industrious, honest and
useful lives and constitute the best portion
of a community. Wherever known he is
held in high regard, and is certainly deserv-
ing of honorable mention in the history of
the county where almost his entire life has
been passed.
WILLIAM D. BANNING.
The name of Banning has been so close-
ly conn-ected with the history of Knox coun-
ty through almost a century that a mem-
ber of the family needs no introduction to
the readers of this volume, especially if he
be as widely and favorably known as is Will-
iam> D. Banning, who is now living a re-
tired life in Mount Vernon. He was born
in this city and is a grandson of Judge An-
thony Banning, who came to the county in
1812. His father, James S. Banning was
a leading and influential resident of the
county for many years and died in 1867, at
the age of sixty-seven. He married Eliza
Blackstone, who was born in Connelsville,
Lafayette county, Pennsylvania, the only
daughter of James and Sarah (Rogers)
Blackstone. The Blackstone family was of
English lineage, and her great-great-grand-
father of William Blackstone, an uncle of
Governor William Blackstone, the famous
author of the celebrated treatise on real es-
tate law, which has become a text-book in
all law colleges throughout the country.
Mrs. Eliza (Blackstone) Banning received
superior educational advantages and was a
lady of marked culture and refinement. She
brought the first piano to Mount Vernon
and took great pleasure in teaching the
young people of this then pioneer town mu-
sic and other accomplishments. She was
one of the charter members of St. Paul's
Episcopal church and her whole life was one
of beneficence to her family and to the com-
munity. Her influence was that of a cul-
tured, refined lady, and her memory remains
as a blessed benediction to all who knew her.
Unto James and Eliza Banning were
born the following named : Sarah D. died
at the age of fifty-six years; James Black-
stone, who made his home in Clinton town-
ship, married Miss Mary Prentiss Williams,
who survives her husband, and lives in
Mount Vernon; Anthony, of Banning,
Pennsylvania, married Catherine Torrence,
of Connelsville, that state; Priscilla became
the wife of J. D. Thompson, of Mount Ver-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
73
non, but both are now deceased; William D.
is the next of the family; Henry B. died in
Cincinnati and his sketch is given on an-
other page of this volume; Eliza is the wife
of William' Brown, ex-mayor of Mount
Vernon; Thomas D. resides on the old
homestead in Mount Vernon; and Mary is
the wife of Frank Watkins.
William D. Banning, whose name intro-
duces this review, spent his youth in acquir-
ing his education in the public schools and
in Sloan's Academy in Mount Vernon, and
since putting aside his text-books he has de-
voted his energies to farming and to the
management of his property interests. He
wedded Miss Mary Lake, of Wooster, Ohio,
a daughter of Constance and Eleanor
(Jones) Lake. Her father was a prominent
merchant and banker at Wooster, while the
Jones family were prominent in Wayne
county. Her grandfather Jones was for
two terms a member of congress and was a
recognized leader of public thought and feel-
ing. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Banning were
born six children, but they lost three. Those
yet living are: Priscilla, the wife of Harry
Sanderson, of Mount Vernon ; Anna, at
home ; and Lake, who is attending school.
The family is one of prominence in the com-
munity, enjoying the warm regard of a very
large circle of friends. Their home is noted
for its gracious and pleasing hospitality and
its social functions are always regarded as
among the most enjoyable of the season.
Mr. Banning represents one of the oldest
and most honored families of the county and
is a worthy scion of his race, upholding the
untarnished name which has ever been a
synonym of loyal citizenship and upright
conduct.
JOSEPH MYERS.
In Democratic circles in Knox county
Joseph Myers is a recognized leader and that
to a high degree he enjoys the confidence
and trust oi his fellow men is indicated by
the fact that he is now filling the
responsible position of president of the
board of county commissioners. His per-
sonal popularity is indicated by the fact
that at the election of 1900 he ran more
than two hundred and fifty votes ahead o£
his ticket, his support coming from many
who voted for the Republican nominees for
other offices. His loyal citizenship, his
practical yet progressive administration of
the affairs of the office and his earnest ef-
forts to promote the welfare of the county —
these are some of the strong characteristics
of the man.
Mr. Myers was born in Liberty town-
ship, Knox county, four miles west of
Mount Vernon, on the 3d of May, 1844, his
parents being William and Sarah (Dietrich)
Myers, in whose family of four daughters-
and two sons he was the youngest child and
the only survivor. Upon the home farm he
was reared and his work in the fields was.
alternated by period O'f attendance at the
public schools. At the age of eighten he
was drafted for service in the army, enlisting
as a member of Company F, Sixty-fifth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served under
the command of General Rosecrans and par-
ticipated in the battle of Stone River. He
was drafted for nine months, but was with
his command at the front for eleven months.
After receiving an honorable discharge
Mr. Myers returned home and remained on
the farm until his father's death. The old
74
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
home place was willed to him and his
brother, Jacob, and the latter, having mar-
ried and removed to another locality, our
subject operated the land which they had
purchased from the other heirs. Upon
Jacob's death Joseph Myers purchased his
interest in the property and soon after sold
the entire amount and bought his father-in-
law's farm of one hundred acres, in Clinton
township, two miles west of Mount Vernon.
There he lived for a number of years, but
eventually sold the place and invested his
money in one hundred and sixty-eight acres
of land in Monroe township, three miles
northeast of Mount Vernon, upon which he
yet resides. Throughout his entire life he
has carried on agricultural pursuits and his
farming methods are in harmony with the
advancement of the times.
Mr. Myers was united in mariage to
Miss Clementine Rinehart, a native of Knox
county and a daughter of Samuel Rinehart
■who came from New Jersey to this county
with his parents in 1816. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Myers have been born seven children :
Emma, who is the wife of Foster Tulloss,
of Clinton township, by whom she has six
children: Joseph; James; Charles; Anna;
Fay and Margaret ; Samuel deceased ; Will-
iam at home; Victoria, the wife of Harry
Patterson, of Morris township; Mary, Me-
lissa and Ralph, all yet under the parental
roof.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Myers
has been a supporter of the Democratic
party and in 1897 was elected on that ticket
to the position of a member of the board of
county commissioners. He served so capa-
bly that on the expiration of his three-years'
term he was re-elected in 1900 by a majority
of sixty-five, although a majority of two
hundred was given the head of the Repub-
lican ticket. He was then chosen president
of the board and is therefore at the head of
the business affairs of the county, which
come under the province of this board. For
several terms he was trustee of Liberty
township and at all times has exercised his
official prerogatives in support of such
meagures as he believes most conducive to
the public good. Mr. Myers belongs to the
Methodist Protestant church, and frater-
nally he is connected with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, his membership be-
ing in Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 316; Co-
ko'sing Encampment and also with the Uni-
formed Rank of the Order. Few men in the
county are better known, for he has always
lived in Knox county, has successfully en-
gaged in farming and has proved himself a
worthy public officer.
DELPHOS SHERWOOD SELLERS.
The prominent farmer of Morgan town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is
mentioned above, traces his lineage to old
Pennsylvania stock. Christian Sellers, his
great-grandfather, lived in Greene county,
Pennsylvania. Jacob Sellers, a son of Chris-
tian Sellers, the grandfather of the subject
of this sketch, was born in that count}- in
1785, and came to Knox county, Ohio, in
1806, and bought three hundred acres of
land in Morgan township. Returning to
Pennsylvania in 1807 he married Mary
Beam, and in 1808 began to^ can-e out a
home on his land. Setting up four posts,
with cross poles, the)^ were covered with
bark, thus securing shelter till a log cabin
could be made. With two other men he
worked two whole days to place the heavy
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
logs in position, only to realize the necessity
for more help. Ha\-ing no near neighhors
to ask, he set out to see those some miles
distant. Meeting "Old Tusco," chief of the
Delaware Indians, he made known his plight,
and the chief sent him four stalwart braves,
who. "'working like heroes," completed his
cabin in one day. They were fed upon
"cush-cush" and "dormin" for dinner, that
being their expression for roast pork and
corn bread. His cabin stood on the site of
the present premises. His large tract of land
was covered with a dense forest and he grad-
ually cleared it and improved it and added
to its acreage until at the time of his death
he was the owner of about one thousand and
five hundred acres, and was one of the
prominent land-owners of Knox county.
Some of his land he bought of the govern-
ment for one dollar and twenty-five cents
an acre, and other portions of it were origin-
ally school lands. About half of his original
purchase is now owned by his descendants.
His possessions were included in Knox,
Putnam, Allen and Licking counties.
Politically he was a Jacksonian Demo-
crat, and he was a man of public spirit who
had the best interests of the community at
heart. He died in 1846, and his wife, who
was born in Virginia, December 18, 1790,
died August 6, 1878. They had eleven chil-
dren, named as follows: William; Susan,
who married James Honey, a native of Vir-
ginia; Sarah, who married John Clutter;
Christian, Jr. ; Jacob, Jr. ; Isaac ; David W. ;
George ; John ; Jackson ; and Mary, who
married Joseph Bolwine. None of their
children are living.
Jacob Sellers, Jr., was born in Morgan
township, Knox county, Ohio, March 2,
1 816, and died May 12, 1894. He received
a scanty education in subscription schools.
His first teacher was Ziba Leonard, who
taught in a little floorless log structure with
slab seats and benches and windows of
greased paper, and a large fireplace at one
end, which in the winter months was kept
full of blazing logs. His second teacher,
James Kirkland, taught him to read, write
and figure a little, and in that locality at
that time those meager accomplishments
were popularly believed to amply equip
their possessor to battle for supremacy in
the business world. Near the end of the
boy's school days the old Owl Creek Baptist
church was turned into a school-house and
for a time he studied under its roof. He
was early initiated into the mysteries of land
clearing and cultivation and obtained^ a
practical knowledge how the Ohio wilder-
ness could be developed into fertile farms.
A man of strong personality, sound judg-
ment and clear business foresight, he made
a practical success of life, never in all his
career running counter to the law, suing a
man or being sued. Late in life he became a
member of the Owl Creek Baptist church.
He served successfully in several of the va-
rious township offices. He was married June
3, 1858, to Miss Cynthia Cannon, a daugh-
ter of Zephaniah and Matilda (Painter) Can-
non, who' was born in Monongalia county,
Virginia (now West Virginia), September
3, 1837, and was brought to Knox county,
Ohio, by her parents when she was about
two years old. Her father prior to coming
to Ohio was an old-time schoolmaster, and
a well-to-do farmer. He directed her edu-
cation, which to considerable extent was ob-
tained in such subscription schools as have
been described. Her great-grandfather,
John Cannon, and his brother Richard, who
76
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
came to America to escape conscription m
the British army, were the first of her fam-
ily in the United States, and they settled in
Greene county, Pennsylvania, and lived out
their days there. They became active in
opposition to their mother country during
the Revolution.
Jacob and Cynthia (Cannon) Sellers
were the parents of four children, named in
the following statements : Their daughter,
Ida May, married Joseph C. Stinson and
lives in Burlington township, Licking coun-
ty, Ohio ; Delphos Sherwood, born April 22,
1861, is the immediate subject of this sketch ;
Jessie H. married Frank E. Bone and lives
in Miller township, Knox county, Ohio;
and James Morgan died in infancy. Del-
phos Sherwood Sellers is a native of Mor-
gan township and has lived there all his
life and his career has been marked with
such success that he is well known through-
ovit Knox and adjacent counties. He was
educated in district schools near his home
and at the Utica high school. He lives with
his mother on one hundred and forty-five
and a half acres of the original Sellers pur-
chase in Morgan township. He is a mem-
ber of Owl Creek Baptist church and has
served in the various official positions of the
church and Sunday-school. Politically he
is a Republican and has ably filled the office
of assessor and been elected to fill other of-
ficial positions by his townsmen, who repose
full confidence in him and regard him as an
especially patriotic and public-spirited man.
FANNY BERRY BALL.
Mrs. Fanny Berry Ball, daughter of
John Adams and Eleanora E. (Andrews)
tor of heavy burdens of debt and placed
Berry, was born in Danville, Ohio, Novem-
ber 3, 1846, and is a prominent resident of
Fredericktown and one of the well known
women of Knox county, Ohio. She re-
ceived her primary education in the public
schools and in 1861 became a student at
the Ohio Wesleyan University. After leav-
ing school, on the death of her father, she
taught until her marriage, January 15, 1867,
to Edgar Addison Ball, who was born Au-
gust 29, 1836, and died June 12, 1890. Mr.
Ball was a successful farmer and a public
spirited citizen. November 9, 1892, Mrs.
Ball married Schuyler Ball, a brother of her
first husband who was born April 12, 1840,
and died September i, 1899.
John Adams Berry, the father of Fanny
(Berry) Ball, was born in Pike township,
Knox county, Ohio, January 21, 1821. He
was educated at Baltimore, Marjiand, and
became a teacher. He graduated in med-
icine at Willoughby Medical College in
1 84 1, and practiced his profession until
1854, when he entered the ministry of the
Methodist Episcopal church. He labored
earnestly for the salvation of souls for some
years, principally at East Union, Rosco,
Chesterville and Fredericktown, Ohio, and
was then appointed agent for the Ohio
Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, a
position which was offered him in view of
the fact that his health had visibly failed.
His physical condition having improved, he
was in 1862 appointed pastor of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church at Mount Gilead,
Ohio. He died November 8, 1863, and is
remembered as a man of sterling worth and
extraordinary ability, especially as a finan-
cier. It is a matter of record that he re-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
lieved all the churches of which he was pas-
them upon a substantial foundation, lie
married Eleanora E. Andrews, March 17,
1842, and she bore him seven children:
Clementine C, who married Edward L.
Buchwalter, of Springfield, Ohio; Rosalie
H., who married Dr. J. T. Condon, of Paw-
nee, Nebraska; Fanny; John A., now dead;
Eugene; Clara L., who married John
Wyker, of Decatur, Alabama; and Edward
A., an electrician of Cleveland, Ohio.
Eleanora E. (Andrews) Berry, the
mother of the subject of this sketch, was
born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 6,
1824, a daughter of Thomas Brown An-
drews, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and
a Revolutionary soldier who did gallant
service in defense of American liberty. She
was educated at Wooster, Ohio, and before
her marriage was a successful teacher. She
is now living with a daughter in Decatur,
Alabama. James Berry, the father of Rev.
John Adams Berry, was a farmer in Pike
township, Knox county, Ohio.
WILLIAM GILMOR.
Among the successful and reliable farm-
ers of Qay township, Knox county, Ohio,
none is held in higher esteem by his fellow
citizens than William Gilmor, an old settler,
who was born in Ohio county, Virginia,
November 8, 1824, and possesses many of
those traits which have made Virginians
honored in all parts of our country.
William Gilmor, father of the subject of
this sketch, was born and brought up in
Maryland, and was taken to Ohio county,
Virginia, at the age of sixteen by his par-
ents. He was married in Washington coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and soon afterward lo-
cated on a part of his father's farm, where he
engaged in farming and milling. He built
a saw and a grist mill and acquired other
property, and in a general way was a pros-
perous man. Politically he was a Whig and
later a Republican. He was a religious man
and a church member and lived a good life,
which terminated when he was within one
months of being eighty-two years old. Will-
iam Gilmor, father of the William Gilmor
just mentioned and grandfather of the Will-
iam Gilmor of this sketch, was born and
reared in Maryland and was a farmer there.
Eventually he settled in Ohio county, Vir-
ginia, on a farm of four hundred acres, on
which he lived out his days. His parents
were natives of Ireland, and they settled
early in Maryland.
Nancy Scott, who married the father of
the subject of this sketch and who lived to
be seventy-two years old, was bom and
passed her early life in Washington county,
Pennsylvania. Her father, Arthur Scott,
was born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish
parentage, and became a farmer, but for
some time was engaged in teaming over the
mountains between Pennsylvania and Ohio,
via ihe old National road, and was an im-
portant factor in the development of Ohio.
William and Nancy (Scott) Gilmor were
the parents of four sons and three daughters,
all of whom grew to manhood and woman-
hood and of whom William Gilmor and his
brother, John S. Gilmor, of New York, are
the only survivors. William Gilmor, who
was the second child and eldest son of his
parents, was reared at the place of his na-
tivitv, on the line of the old National road.
78
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
and began his education in subscription
schools, completing it in what were later
known as public schools. March 28, 1854,
he married Sarah Monninger, who was born
in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June
4, 1827, a daughter of Henry and Susan
(Haas) Monninger, natives of Maryland
and who had ten children, nine of whom
grew to maturity, of whom Mrs. Gilmor is
the ninth in order of birth.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Gilmor set-
tled in Jackson township, Knox county,
Ohio, where he bought a farm of one hun-
dred and fifty-six acres, on which he lived
.nine years, then disposed of it and pur-
chased his present farm at Martinsburg, in
Clay township, on which he has made many
improvements. It consists of one hundred
and seventy acres, and he also owns another
farm of one hundred and fifteen acres within
the borders of Clay township. Pie is a man
of social and political influence in the com-
munity in which he lives, and besides hold-
ing other local offices has for many years
been a member of the township school board.
Brought up in the political faith of the
Whigs, he naturally became a Republican,
and voted for Abraham Lincoln for the pres-
idency of the United States in i860 and
again in 1864, and has since voted for every
Republican nominee for the presidency. He
has long been an active member of the Pres-
byterian church, in which he has held the of-
fices of deacon and trustee. William and
Sarah (Monninger) Gilmor have had born
to them six children, who are here men-
tioned in the order of their birth : Florence,
who is dead ; Lizzie, who is a member of her
parents' household ; John, who married
Mary Hart, of Ashland county, Ohio, and
lives on a part of his father's home farm;
and Belle, Franklin and Agnes, who are
dead.
SILAS YOUNG.
The farming interests of Knox county
are well represented by Silas Young, who
owns a valuable and well cultivated place
in Monroe township. He was born in Mid-
dlefield, Geauga county, Ohio, October 19,
1 82 1. His father, Reese C. Young, claimed
Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his
birth having occurred in Washington coun-
ty in 1799. He subsequently removed to
Geauga county, Ohio, where he was mar-
ried, and in 1838 he took up his abode in
Knox county, locating on a farm in Monroe
township, where he spent the remainder of
his days. His political support was given
the Democracy, and religiously he was a
member of the Methodist Protestant church.
For his wife he chose Eliza Gates, who was
born in the Empire state, and was a member
of an old and prominent family, whose his-
tory is traced back through many genera-
tions to a passenger on the Mayflower. Tlie
union of Mr. and Mrs. Young was blessed
with fifteen children, nine of whom are now
living, namely: Silas, the subject of this
review ; Elvira, the wife of Martin Robinson,
of California ; Mary A., the widow of Will-
iam Downs and a resident of Mount Vernon ;
Carrie, wife of Stephen Craig, of Knox
county; Emma, wife of Robert Coleman, of
Mount Vernon ; Eva, the widow of Thomas
Williams, and she makes her home with her
sister, Mrs. Craig; Jane, wife of Elias Leon-
ard, of Missouri ; Abigail, widow of Sam-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
uel Bartlett and a resident of ]\'Iount Ver-
non; and Susan, the wife of John M.
Scott, of Knox county.
Silas Young remained under the parental
roof until his fifteenth year, when he began
the battle of life on his own account, and
for the following twelve years he was en-
gaged at various occupations, but his time
was principally given to agricultural pur-
suits. In the fall of 1839 he came to Knox
county, Ohio, where he soon entered the em-
ploy of Mr. Jacob Davis, and on the 20th
of August, 1848, he was united in marriage
to his daughter Catherine. Shortly after
his marriage our subject rented the farm
where his brother-in-law, James W. Davis,
now resides, where he made his home for
two years, on the expiration of which period
he purchased a tract of sixty-six acres on
the Wooster road, there making his home
until 1870. For the following two years
he rented a farm of two hundred and thirty-
three acres of the Lefever heirs in Clinton
township, and at the end of that period the
residence there was burned and Mr. Young
then moved to Mount Verncm. After an-
other year had passed by he purchased his
present farmi of one hundred and twenty-
three acres in Monroe township, and on this
place he has ever since made his home. He
has a. fine farm, a mile east of Mount Ver-
non, and thereon he is successfully engaged
in agricultural pursuits.
The union of our subject and wife has
been blessed with ten children, six of whom
survive, — Jacob R., who is engaged in busi-
ness in Springfield, Illinois; Augusta, the
wife of C. A. Lefever, of Clinton township ;
John Shannon, a resident of Tallula, Illi-
nois; Mary, the wife of Walter S. Steele,
who is engaged in the grocery business in
Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles, at home;
and Catherine, the wife of Walter Spittle,
of ^Vashington, Indiana. Mr. Young gives
his political support to the Democratic party,
and his religious views connect him with the
Methodist Protestant church.
M. H. ADRIAN.
Success comes as the legitimate result of
well apphed energy, unflagging determina-
tion and perseverance in a course of action
that has once been decided upon. She smiles
not upon the idler or dreamer, and only the
man who has won her favor justly and by
unflagging effort does she deign to crown
with blessings. In tracing the history of
Mr. Adrian it is plainly seen that the success
he enjoys has been won by the commendable
qualities just mentioned, together with many
others which have gained him the high es-
teem of all who know him. He is the larg-
est landholder in Jefferson township, and
ranks among the leading agriculturists of
this part of Ohio, where his labors have
been so well directed that he is now most
prosperous.
Mr. Adrian is a native of Knox county,
his birth having occurred in Harrison town-
ship, on the 14th of August, 1855. His
father, Isaac Adrian, was born in Jefferson
county, this state, and coming to this coun-
ty at an early day took up his abode in
Harrison township, where throughout his'
active business career he carried on farming."
His death occurred when he was seventy-
seven years of age, and thus terminated a.
8o-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
busy and useful career. He married Cyn-
thia Harrod, who was born in Harrison
township upon' the farm which is yet her
home. She is no w-_, eighty-one years of age.
She has performed a noble work in the
world, having reared a family of ten chil-
dren, all of whom reached adult age, while
nine are yet living and are a credit to their
loved and venerated mother.
The sixth child and third son of this
family is M. H. Adrian, whose name intro-
duces this sketch. In the usual manner of
farmer lads of the period he spent the days
of his boyhood and youth, and when the
farm work was over in the autumn he en-
tered the public school of his neighborhood
and there acquired a good English educa-
tion. He was married in Union township,
November 19, 1879, the lady of his choice
being Miss Delia May Parsons, a sister of
Dr. Parsons, of Brinkhaven. The young
couple began their domestic life at Democ-
racy, Ohio, and he engaged in farming in
Pike township for five years, on the expira-
tion of which period he removed to Union
township, there remaining for two years.
He then purchased the farm upon which he
now resides and which comprises two hun-
dred acres of rich and arable land, which
when placed under the plow yields excellent
harvests in return for his labor. He also
owns another tract of eighty acres one mile
north of his hom'e place, and one hundred
and twenty-six and a half acres in Union
township, known as the Parsons farm, so
that his landed possessions aggregate four
hundred and six and a half acres, making
him the most extensive landholder in Jeffer-
son township. Throughout the greater part
of his life he has followed stock-raising in
connection with the tilling of the soil, and
for two' years he was engaged in merchan-
dising at Buckeye City, and for one year at
Brinkhaven. Energy is one of his marked
characteristics, and has been an excellent
foundation upon which to rear the super-
structure of his success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian has
been blessed with five children : Lauris N.,
Lewis I., Ivan L., Virgil H. and Leila O.
M. Mr. Adrian and his family have a wide
acquaintance in the county where they have
always resided and their circle of friends is
quite extensive. He votes with the De-
mocracy, and socially is connected with the
Knights of the Maccabees, with which he
has been identified for five years, and in
which he has filled all the offices. He is a
member of the Baptist church in Tiverton
township, Coshocton county, in which he is
serving as a deacon, a position he has filled
for eight years, and in its work he has taken
an active part. He is well known in the
county as a respected citizen, whose word
is thoroughly reliable, whose business is
conducted along lines of the strictest hon-
esty, and whose worth is widely acknowl-
edged by his fellow men.
DAVID SHAFFER, D. D. S.
A large patronage indicates Dr. Shaf-
fer's standing in professional circles, for as
a dental practitioner of Danville he is well
and favorably known. He was born in
Holmes county, Ohio, July 15, 1853. His
father, John Shaffer, was a native of the
Old Dominion, but when only four years
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of age he came with his parents, Jacob Shaf-
fer and wife, to Ohio. The paternal grand-
parents of our subject were natives of Penn-
sylvania, and removed from^ that state to
Virginia, coming thence to Ohio. The
mother of him whose name introduces this
review bore the maiden name of Priscilla
Hoger, and was born in Holmes county,
Ohio. Her death occurred in Wayne coun-
ty, this state, when she had reached the age
of fifty-eight years. She is still survived by
her husband, who now makes his home in
Wooster, Wayne county. This worthy
couple became the parents of ten children,
nine oi whom grew to years of maturity.
Dr. Shaffer, the third child in order of
birth in the above family, was but eight
years of age when he left the county of his
nativity and with his parents located in
Wayne county, where he received his edu-
cation in the district schools. After attain-
ing to years of maturity he was tor hve years
engaged in the lumber business at Freder-
icksburg, Ohio, v/hile for the following two
years he was a resident of Latty, Paulding
county, this state, where he found employ-
ment at the carpenter's trade. While thus
employed he spent his leisure hours engaged
in the study of dentistry under the preceptor-
ship of Dr. E. P. Cunningham, of Fred-
ericksburg, and so thoroughly did he master
the principles of dentistry that in 1880 he
was enabled to begin the practice of that
profession, opening an office at Danville.
He is now numbered among the leading rep-
resentatives of that calling in Knox county,
and has built up a large and constantly in-
creasing patronage. He has ever been a
close student, and does all in his power to
perfect himself in his chosen profession.
On the 2d of July, 1882, Dr. Shaffer
was united in marriage to Miss Letitia Mil-
ler, and they had seven children, four now
living, — Mary B., Kent D., Homer V. and
Chauncey. The wife and mother was called
from this earth September 27, 1894, and
our subject was wedded to Miss Lona Belle
Workman, July 23, 1896. This union has
been blessed with one son, John B. The
Doctor and his wife and children- are mem-
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he has long held the office of trustee.
Politically his views are in harmony with
the Prohibition party, often serving as a
delegate to conventions and has been named
as candidate of the party for representative
to the legislature. His manner is ever
courteous and kindly, qualities which pro-
mote his success in a professional way. His
life has been one of industry and benevolence
and the systematic and honorable business
methods which he has followed have won fo-r
him the support and confidence of his fel-
low men.
LEANDER HAYS.
All that is conducive to good citizenship,
all that tends to promote the welfare of the
county receives the support and co-operation
of Leander Hays, now one of the county
commissioners of Knox county, as well as a
leading and representative farmer. He was
born in Harrison township January 6, 1851,
and is a son of Morgan and Deborah A.
(Breece) Hays. The former was bom in
Clay township, this county. May 21, 1820,
and was a son o-f James Hays, a native
of Pennsylvania, who became one of the
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
early settlers of Knox county. Morgan
Hays spent his youth upon a farm, and,
through the summer months worked in the
fields from the time of early planting until
crops were harvested. In the winter sea-
son, when the work of the farm was prac-
tically over for the year he pursued his
studies in the pioneer log schoolhouse of the
times. He was married, in October, 1849.
He had previously worked as a farm hand,
making his home with his brothers and sis-
ters, and after his marriage he settled in
Harrison township, where he had purchased
one hundred acres of land. This he sold in
1853, and then bought a quarter-section in
the same township, making his home thereon
until 1866, when he sold that property and
invested his money in two hundred and
ninety-seven acres of land in Pleasant town-
ship. After engaging in the cultivation of
the fields upon that place he rented that
farm and purchased one hundred and sev-
enty-eight acres in Clay township, to which
he removed and upon which he made his
home until his life's- labors were ended in
death, April 22, 1900. He never would
consent to become a candidate for public of-
fice, but devoted his energies to his agri-
cultural pursuits, thus providing comfort-
ably for his family, consisting of wife and
two children, the latter being Leander, of
this review, and Elizabeth A., now the
widow of Marcus Workman, of Gambler,
Ohio.
The childhood and youth of Leander
Hays were not unlike that of other boys of
the period who were required upon the farm.
As early as his twelfth year he began work-
ing as a farm hand in the neighborhood, in
order to gain "spending money," and since
that time agricultural pursuits have claimed
his attention. At the time of his marriage
he took his bride to the old home farm,
which had become his property, and here he
has since lived, the well tilled fields yield-
ing to him a golden tribute in return for the
care and labor he has bestowed upon them.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr.
Hays and Miss Carrie M. Robinson, a na-
tive of this county and a daughter of L. ■
W. Robinson, now deceased, who was also I
born in this county, where his parents lo- 1
cated during an early epoch in its develop-
ment. Their home is blessed with two chil-
dren. Bertha B. and Howard R., who are j
with their parents. Mr. Hays exercises his I
right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Democrac}-, and on J
that ticket he was elected county commis-
sioner in 1898. He belongs to the Disciples'
church, in which he is now serving as dea-
con, and is widely recognized as one of
the leading and influential men of his com-
munitv.
JACOB HAYS.
In the life of the well known citizen of
Morgan township, Knox county, Ohio,
whose name appears above are exemplified
all those oft-praised qualities of honesty, in-
dustry and integrity which since American
civilization began have contributed to the
success of self-made men. Jacob Hays was
born in Knox county, September 25, 1826,
a son of James B. and Jemima (Biggs)
Hays, and was reared to the hard and use-
ful work of the fann. He helped to clear
and improve land and put it under cultiva-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
tion and all through his childhood and
youth was thus employed during each suc-
cessive spring, summer and fall, and in the
winter months he attended the schools near
his home to such good purpose that in time
he became a teacher of district schools, and
did successful educational work for six
terms in Knox county and one term in
Illinois.
In religious belief Mr. Hays is a Uni-
versalist. Politically he is a Democrat, and
his first presidential vote was cast for James
K. Polk. He has ably filled the offices of
supervisor and township trustee, and has
held other important township offices, not-
ably that of justice of the peace, in- which he
has officiated for eighteen years to- the en-
tire satisfaction of his fellow citizens of all
classes. He has been land appraiser also,
and in that capacity showed great judgment
and fairness during a period of service cov-
ering six years. He has been many times
a member of juries which have had tO' do
with important cases, and in many other
ways was long and almost constantly in pub-
lic life. During recent years he has been in
the enjoyment of a well earned retirement
and rest from public responsibility.
Mr. Hays was married, April 19, 1854,
to Matilda Lauderbaugh, daughter of John
and Catharine (Ream) Lauderbaugh. She
was born February 24, 1836, in College
township, Knox county, Ohio, and was edu-
cated in some of the old-fashioned subscrip-
tion schools kept near her home. Mr. and
Mrs. Hays have had children as follows:
Drusilla F., who is the wife of John Wolf;
George, who is a member of his father's
household; Canada A. L., who married
Minnie Arrington and lives in Harrison
township; Ida May, who married Qiarles
Brown and lives in Pleasant township;.
Meeker E., who died aged eighteen years,
January i, 1883; John B., who died Jan-
uary 16, 1880, aged twelve years; Charles-
W., who married Hattie Squires and lives-
at Brandon, Knox county ; Clement D., who
married Addie Haines and lives at Utica,
Ohio; Eddie, who is a member of his fa-
ther's household; Tillie E., who married'
Charles A. Clutter and lives jn Licking-
county, Ohio; and Amelia C, who is also
at home.
James Hays, grandfather of Jacob Hays,,
came to Knox county from Greene county,
Pennsylvania, in 18 15, and settled on the
farm now the home of the subject of this
sketch, and lived there until his death, which
occurred January 22, 1843. He was born in
Pennsylvania September 23, 1772, and mar-
ried Sarah Bell, who bore him children as
follows: Anna, James B. (father of Jacob),
Mary, John, William, Harlan, Benjamin,
Elizabeth, Isaac, Morgan and David. Of
these only Isaac is living. James Hays' sec-
ond wife, who was Sarah Mills, bore him
a son who was named Silas. James B. and
Jemima (Biggs) Hays had children as fol-
lows: Jacob, the immediate subject of this
sketch; Mary, Sarah, William Canada, Eliz-
abeth, Lindsay and Amelia. Jacob, William,
and Lindsay are living at this time. Mr.
Hays is descended from Revolutionary
stock. His ancestor, William Hays, not
only did gallant service as a soldier in de-
fense of American liberty, but furnished con-
siderable supplies to the Continental army.
He was married at Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania, April 4, 1759, and had children as
follows: John, William, Jane, George, Mary
S4
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Ann, Ann, Isabel, James, Robert, Solomon
and Elizabeth.
Mr. Hays' farm of one hundred and
twenty-five acres, one hundred of which is
under cultivation, is located in Morgan
township, about three miles from Utica, and
is well provided with barns and all other
necessary outbitildings and well equipped
for successful cultivation. Mr. Hays gives
attention to both general farming and stock
raising.
PARMENIS N. DONAHEY.
Pennsylvania has furnished to the mid-
dle west and indeed to all parts of the
United States west of the boundary line be-
tween itself and Ohio an element of popula-
tion that in all localities has made for en-
lightenment and material prosperity. Ohio
■owes not a little to pioneers from Pennsyl-
vania, and Knox county received many such
■whose influence has been potent toward her
settlement and development. One such was
John Donahey, who was born in the Key-
stone state July ii, 1799, and at the age
of ten years was brought by his parents to
Jackson township, where he was reared
and educated, and where he married Matilda
Ross, a native of Virginia.
Parmenis N. Donahey, a merchant of
Bladensburg, Jackson township, Knox
county, Ohio, was born in that township
June 4, 1843, the third son of John and
Matilda (Ross) Donahey, who had ten chil-
dren. His mother, who was of Virginian
parentage, was at the time of her marriage
to Mr. Donahey the widow of John Craft,
■whom she bore two children, half-sisters of
the subject of this sketch. Young Donahey
was reared and educated at Bladensburg,
and began his active career in 1866 as a
clerk in the dry goods store of S. L. Rolley,
in whose employment he remained for two
years. Afterward he taught school at
Bladensburg for three years, and after that
in Illinois until in 1880, when he estab-
lished himself in Bladensburg as a grocer.
A year later he removed his store to Utica,
Ohio, where he traded successfully until
1888, when he again returned to Bladens-
burg and has since managed a general store
and achieved a reputation as a popular mer-
chant. Politically he is a Democrat, and as
such was elected to the office of justice of
the peace, which he fills with much ability
and discretion. He is an active member of
the Disciples' church.
August 29, 1869, Mr. Donahey was mar-
ried to Miss Sophia M. Houck, who was
born, reared and educated at Bladensburg,
and whose parents were natives of Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Donahey have two children,
William J. and Leota L. The former is a
hospital steward at Fort Morgan, Alabama,
in connection with the regular army service.
Leota L. is the wife of Calvin McClelland,
of Licking county, Ohio.
GEORGE WESLEY SHUFF.
This well known citizen of Miller town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, who is a pros-
perous farmer, owning two hundred acres
of fertile land, is regarded by his fellow citi-
zens with the honors due to a veteran of the
Civil war, and was iborn in Shenandoah
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
county, Virginia, September 30, 1835, a son
of William and Margaret (Glenn) Shuff.
He located in Ohio March 4, i860, the day
on which Abraham Lincoln was first inaug-
urated president of the United States, and
there and then began his life work as a
farmer. At the outbreak of the Civil war he
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and
Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, for nine months' service, aiid was
mustered in at Camp Qiase, Columbus,
Ohio. He leturned home at the expiration
of his term of service, and in 1864, in or-
der to he)p fill the quota of his township, he
re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and
Ninety-seventh' Regiment, Ohio Volunteer
Infantry. With this he saw continuous
service until the close of the war, most of
the time in the hospital corps. He was at
Cumberland Gap when it was surrendered
to the Union forces by the Confederates, and
was finally mustered out of the service at
Baltimore, Maryland. He has kept alive
recollections of his army days by member-
ship with the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Shuff has prospered as a farmer,
and his fine farm is provided with good
buildings and all necessary modem improve-
ments. September 8, 1868, he married
Mary Oldaker, and they have three chil-
dren, named W^alter Andrew, Rollin Ernest
and Jessie Maud. William Shuff, father of
George W. Shuff, was born in Maryland in
1806 and settled in Shenandoah county,
Virginia, where he died. Margaret Glenn,
who became his wife, was born in Page
county, Virginia, June 6, 181 3, and is living
in Shenandoah county, Virginia: She bore
her husband eleven children — Thomas J.,
who was killed in the first battle of Bull
Run; George Wesley; Martha A.; Jessie;
Isabel ; Caroline ; Jane ; William A. ; Emma ;
and two whO' died in infancy. Mary (Old-
aker) Shuff is a daughter of Andrew and
Jaiie (Sillins) Oldaker. Her father was
born September 28, 181 2, and died in Lick-
ing county, Ohio, March 18, 1868; her
mother was born in Virginia October 4,
181 2, and died December 6, 1891. Henry
Oldaker, father of Andrew Oldaker and
grandfather of Mrs. Shuff, was born July
22, 1777, and died July i, 1829. He mar-
ried Ann Thompson, who was born July
19, 1785, a daughter of Andrew Thompson,
who was born in Ireland in 1750. Anna
Colville, the great-grandmother of Mary
(Oldaker) Shuff, was born in Ireland in
1743, and died November 14, 1813.
MOSES COLWELL BONE.
In this age of scientific farming there
is probably no farmer in Knox county,
Ohio, who could more justly be termed an
agricultural expert than the well known
citizen of Miller township whose name is
above. He is the owner of a fine farm of
three hundred and seventy-five acres, which
is cultivated by up-to-date methods and is
one of the most desirable properties of its
kind within the limits of the county.
Moses Colwell Bone, son of John and
Mary Ann (Colwell) Bone, was born in
Cornwall, England, May 11, 1833, and came
to the United States at the age of twenty-
one years. For a time he lived at Gambier,
Ohio, at which place he worked at his trade
of wagon-making, and from there he went
^6
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
to Lock, Ohio. About two years after this
last removal he located in Miller township,
Knox county, where he soon established
himself upon a farm. Later he acquired the
White homestead, and he has added to his
holdings until he is recognized as one of
the leading farmers in his part of the coun-
ty. In the course of events he was appointed
one of the infirmary directors of Knox coun-
ty, and he was afterward elected to that
office, in which he served six successive
years He is an active member of the Chris-
tian church at Fairview. Mr. Bone mar-
ried Miss Martha White March i8, 1858,
and has had an interesting family of nine
children : John, the eldest, was born January
15, 1859; Lovilla C. was born August 6,
i860; Bumello M. was born February 29,
1864, and died December 29, 1877; Mary
Jane was born August 11, 1866; Frank E.
was born July 23, 1868; Alta A. was born
July 29, 1871 ; Charley C. was born April
17, 1873; Anna Delle was born February
12, 1875; and Martha A. was born Septem-
ber 20, 1878.
John Bone, father of Moses Colwell Bone,
was born and passed his entire life in Eng-
land, surviving his wife about nine years.
They left seven children, named Mary, Sam-
uel, John, Heni-y, William, Eliza and Moses
Colwell, of whom Eliza is dead. Miss
Martha White, wife of Moses Colwell Bone,
was born in Pennsylvania, November 9,
1838, and in 1847 was brought by her
mother to Ohio, her father having died in
Pennsylvania. Mrs'. White settled on what
Is now the Bone farm, and died there Jan-
uary 3, 1880. Two sisters of Mrs. Bone
are living: Sarah, wife of David Porter-
field, of Columbus, Ohio; and Mary C,
wife of George Lemon, of Advance, Illi-
nois. One brother, David White, resided
in Mercer county, Ohio, where he died at
about the asfe of thirtv-five vears.
HENRY ALLEN CRIPPEN.
The well known citizen of Miller town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is
the title of this article achieved success first
as a railroad man and afterward as a fann-
er, and attained prominence as a citizen by
virtue of his high character and his unpre-
tentious but substantial achievements.
Henry Allen Crippen was born in Mil-
let township, KnO'X county, Ohio, Septem-
ber 30, 1837, a son of Alanson and Eunice
(Brooks) Crippen. Alanson Crippen was
born in the state of New York in 1798. He
came to Ohio in 1836 and remained at
Mount Vernon until 1837, when he moved
to Miller township, Knox county; he died
in 1840, in New York, while there on a
visit. Eunice Brooks, who became the wife
of Alanson Crippen and the mother of
Henry Allen Crippen, was born in the state
of New York October 22, 1799. She was
a life-long member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church and a woman who in every way
exemplified a Christian character. She died
at the home of her son in Miller township,
and her remains are buried in the cemetery
at Brandon.
Henry Allen Crippen began his railroad
career as a fireman with the old Sandusky,
Mansfield & Newark Railroad Company in
1854, there continuing for six years. In
1862 he was given charge of an engine on
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
87
what is now the Panhandle Railroad, serv-
ing in that capacity until 1870. His run
was from Steubenville to Newark, and he
attained the reputation of being an efficient
engineer who could be relied upon in any
emergency. In the year last mentioned he
retired to a farm, which he has since man-
aged successfully. He was married May i,
1865, to Miss Elizabeth Clarkson, who was
born in England, but reared in Ohio. She
bore him two children : Hattie and Martin
Clarkson ; the last named died in early child-
hood. Hattie is the wife of Hugh D. Jones,
a painter, and lives with her parents. They
have one daughter, Grace.
Elizabeth (Clarkson) Crippen is a
daughter of Martin and Maria (Smith)
Clarkson, who were married in England and
came to Plymouth, Ohio, in 1839. Later
they lived at Mansfield, Ohio, and still later
at Sandusky, Ohio, where Martin Clarkson
died at the age of eighty-six years, he hav-
ing long survived his wife, Maria (Smith)
Clarkson, who died at the age of fifty-eight
years.
GEORGE H. TAYLOR.
George H. Taylor, superintendent of the
Mount Vernon Gas Light & Coke Company,
lias held the important position which he
now so ably fills for twenty-three years, and
liis entire life has been spent in this city.
His paternal grandfather, George Taylor,
^\'as born in England and was there engaged
as a contractor for gas works. In 1849 h^
came from his native land to the United
States, locating first in Portsmouth, Ohio,
and in that city, Dayton, Sandusky and New
York he was employed in the erection of
gas works. In company with a Mr. Bar-
ringer he received the contract to erect the
Mount Vernon gas works, and in 1856 he
removed to this city, where he remained for
several years, and on East Front street he
erected the fine homestead which his grand-
son now occupies. In 1867 he returned to
his native land on a visit, and in Manchester,
that country, his life's labors were ended in
death at the age of fifty-nine years. His
wife bore the maiden name of Olive Neild,
and her death occurred in Mount Vernon
in 1862. Their son, Hugh Neild Taylor,
was born in Manchester, England, in 1833,
and when eighteen years of age he accom-
panied his parents on their removal to this
country. For twenty years he served as
superintendent of the Mount Vernon Gas
Light & Coke Company, holding that posi-
tion until the time of his death, which oc-
curred on the 2d of March, 1880, at the
ag€ of forty-nine years. He was united in
marriage to Emma Price, a native of Bing-
ham, England. She accompanied her par-
ents on their removal to this country, locat-
ing in Brooklyn, New York. They became
the parents of two sons, and the younger,
Harry P., is now a resident of Akron, Ohio.
George H. Taylor, the elder son and the
immediate subject of this review, was born
in the city of Mount Vernon, and the edu-
cational advantages which he enjoyed in his
youth were those afforded by the public
schools of the city. In 1880, when twenty
years of age, he succeeded his father as su-
perintendent oif the Mount Vernon Gas
Light & Coke Company, and for the past
twenty-three years he has filled this import-
ant position with credit to himself and to
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His
entire life having been passed in Knox coun-
ty, he is widely known in the community,
and the fact that many of his friends are
numbered among those who have been ac-
quainted with him' from boyhood is an in-
dication that his career has ever been an
honorable and upright one.
JAMES PERRY COLLINS.
James Perry Collins, farmer and stone
mason of Miller township, Knox county,
Ohio, is one of the most widely known brick
and stone contractors in Knox and adjoin-
ing counties. He is a son of Washington
and Susan (Hunter) Collins, and was born
at Brinkhaven, Knox county, Ohio, Feb-
ruary- 2, 1853.
Washington Collins, father of the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born in Guernsey
county, Ohio, 1826.' He served four
years in the Civil war as a member of Com-
pany G, One Hundred and Twenty-first
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and is
now residing with his son, James P. By
his marriage with Susan Hunter he became
the father of five children, named as fol-
lows in the order of their birth: James
Perry; Jackson, of Newcastle, Ohio; and
George, Edward and Adaline, who are dead.
Mrs. Collins died at about the age of seventy
years.
James Perry Collins is a member of Mt.
Zion Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, of Mount Vernon, and is also a Chap-
ter Mason there, and is a member of Syca-
more Valley Lodge, No. 553, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He married Miss
Angeline Dripps June 14, 1876, and she has
borne him two children, Minnie, wife of
Benjamin Wright, of Miller township, and
Gertrude, at home. Mrs. Collins is a daugh-
ter of Harrison and Rachel (McFarland)
Dripps, and was born in Mil ford township,
Knox county.
Mr. Collins is a citizen of public spirit,
who has the best interests of his township
and coimty at heart, and hi9 fellow citizens
have learned that they may safely depend
upon him to encourage earnestly and sub-
stantially any movement for the general
good. His patriotic inclinations cause him
to feel a deep interest in all national af-
fairs, and he is an intelligent observer of all
passing events.
FRANK LOUIS FAIRCHILD.
Mr. Fairchild makes his home in Mount
Vernon, but his influence is felt far beyond
the limits of his home community, owing to
his broad business relations and many per-
sonal friendships throughout the country.
The Fairchild family came to this coun-
try from England about 1639, when Thom-
as Fairchild took up a township of land in
Stafford, Connecticut, and since its founda-
tion on American soil its members have ever
taken an active interest in the welfare of
state and nation. Mr. Fairchild's father,
Charles G. Fairchild, came with his father,
Grandison Fairchild, from Stockbridge,
Massachusetts, to Lorain county, Ohio,
where they were among the very early set-
tlers. The cause oi education has also
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
found in the members of this representative
family warm and active friends, and three
uncles of our subject became presidents of
colleges, — James H., of Oberlin, Ohio; E.
H., of Berea, Kentucky; and George T., of
the State Agricultural College of Manhattan,
Kansas. Charles G. Fairchild was united in
marriage to Emily Culver, of Lee, Berk-
shire county, Massachusetts.' They were
people of sterling worth, and in the com-
munity where they made their home they
were loved and honored for their many no-
ble characteristics.
Frank L. Fairchild was born at Brown-
helm, Lorain county, Ohio. His elementary
education was received in the common
schools of his locality, but later he entered
Oberlin College, where he enjoyed superior
advantages. He was reared to the quiet
pursuits of the farm, and after having had
some experience in the dry goods business,
in 1865 he came tO' Mount Vernon, Knox
county, where he at once became identified
with The C. & G. Cooper Company, becom-
ing an active partner in the concern about
three years later. After a residence of some
years in this city he went to Chicago, where
from February, 1869, until May, 1878, he
had charge of the company's interests in that
city. Since its organization the business has
steadily grown in volume and importance,
and it now extends to all parts of the com-
mercial world. The plant was founded by
Charles Cooper in 1833 and was conducted
as a co-partnership company until 1895,
when it was incorporated and Mr. Fairchild
was then elected its president. The present
officers of The C. & G. Cooper Company are :
Frank L. Fairchild, president ; C. G. Cooper,
secretary; D. B. Kirk, treasurer; who with
Charles M. Stamp and Edward Henry Fair-
child, all of Mount Vernon, constitute the
board of directors. When this establish-
ment was first organized it manufactured in
a small way agricultural implements, but be-
fore many years it became extensively en-
gaged in building engines and boilers. Now,
liowever, the Company builds Corliss en-
gines exclusively and in this field it has-
gained a wide reputation. The works cover
an extensive area of ground, and employ-
ment is given to- about five hundred work-
m.en.
Although the business of this establish-
ment claims much of his time, Mr. Fairchild
has been actively interested in the welfare of
the city in which he lives. For nineteen
years he served as trustee of the Water
Works of Mount Vernon, assuming the du-
ties of that position in 1881. He served on
the preliminary committee that determined
the plan and selected the site of the Water
Works, and had charge, with the other trus-
tees, during the period of construction. He
was one of the founders of the Public Li-
brary and has ever since served as its trus-
tee, while during much of the time he has--
also acted as its president. He was one of
the incorporators and directors of the Home-
Building & Loan Association, which was;
organized twenty 3'ears agO' and has ever
since enjoyed a high degree of success. The
cause of education has also found in him a
warm friend, and for eighteen years he was
;> member of the board of education, enter-
ing upon the duties of that office in 1882-,.
and served as president for seventeen years*
Since 1865 Mr. Fairchild has been an active
member of the Congregational church, and
for many years has held office therein, hav-
ing served as deacon, trustee and as superin-
tendent of the Sunday-school. Religious;
90
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
social and political matters have ever found
in him a willing- worker and he has always
done what he could for the welfare of his
fellow men.
On the 14th of September, 1871, oc-
curred the marriage of Mr. Fairchild and
Aliss Sarah E. Thatcher. Mrs. Fairchild is
a native of Litchfield, Medina county, Ohio,
and a daughter of Buckley Thatcher, for-
merly of Lee, Massachusetts. The Thatcher
family became residents of that locality as
early as 1635, when Thomas, a son of Rev.
Peter Thatcher, came to this country froin
England. He was born in England in 1620.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild con-
sists of a daughter, Amy Frances, now the
wife of B. B. Williams, of Mount Vernon,
and an adopted son, Edward Henry Fair-
child, associated with his father in The C. &
'G. Cooper Company. Both were educated
in the schools of Oberlin.
Such is the record of one of the most
successful men of Mount Vernon. His life
has indeed been crowned with prosperity,
but all his achievements are the result of pa-
tient effort, unflagging industry and self-
reliance. For many years this city has been
his home, and during all this time he has so
deported himself that as a citizen, as a man
of business and as an honorable Christian
gentleman no man has a cleaner record or is
n^ore highly respected than he.
WILLIAM H. YEARLEY.
The educator is as useful a man as there
is or can be in any community and his work
is more comprehensive and far reaching
than any other man's, for it is as broad as
humanity and its influence is endless. There
are in Knox county, Ohio, few educators
better known or more highly esteemed than
the subject of this brief notice, a native of
Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, born
November 6, 1862, a son of Henry A. and
Adeline (Evans) Yearley.
Professor Yearley's father, Henry A.
Yearley, was born in Baltimore, Maryland,
and learned and worked at the cooper's
trade. He was married at Newark, Ohio,
to Adeline Evans, of Welsh parentage, who
was born and reared at Newark. After
their marriage they located at Zanesville,
and they now live on the National road,
west of that cit3\ They became the parents
of three daughters and two sons, all of
whom survive. William H. Yearley. the
eldest of these children, attended public
school at Zanesville, and after preparing for
college at Madison Academy entered Woos-
ter University, in which institution he was
graduated after a due course of study in
1886. He located at Danville, Knox county,
that year, and for five years thereafter filled
one of the chairs in the central Ohio state
normal school. Later he was for four years
principal of the Savannah Academy at Ash-
land, Ohio, and taught one year in Ashland
College. For the past six years he has ably
filled the office of superintendent of the Dan-
ville and Buckeye City union school.
Professor Yearley was married, in July,
1886, to Miss Jennie Cain, a native of Kirk-
ersville. Licking county, Ohio, who was edu-
cated at the Ohio state normal school at
Ada and at Wooster University, and who
was for some years a successful teacher.
Professor and Mrs. Yearley have three sons
and three daughters, as follows: Arthur,
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
George W., Bernard C, Mary, Adelia and
Grace.
Politically Professor Yearley is a Re-
publican, and that he is a man of influence
in local affairs is attested by the fact that
he has served his fellow citizens as council-
man and township clerk and in other re-
sponsible official positions. In religious
views he is a Presbyterian, but at this time
he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal
church.
SIMON A. COLWILL.
Simon Augustus Colwill has spent his
entire life in Knox county and is among
the honored citizens who have aided in erect-
ing the superstructure of the county's pres-
ent prosperity and progress. He was born
on the farm on which he now resides, on the
20th of October, 1855, a son of Simon and
Ann (Hurd) Colwill. The father was born
in the county of Cornwall, England, in 1810.
In 1835, soon after his marriage, he came
to the United States, settling in Gambier,
Knox county, Ohio, where he followed his
trade of a wheelwright and carpenter. After
some years spent in that city, however, he
removed to Massillon, where he worked at
his trade for a time and then returned to
Gambier. Some time in the early '40s he
purchased the place on which our subject
now resides, consisting of a tract of ninety
acres, where he was engaged in farming un-
til his life's labors were ended, passing away
on the 7th of September, 1884. He was a
Republican in his political views, and relig-
iously was a member of the Episcopal
church. His wife was also born in County
Cornwall, England, in 18 12, and she now
makes her home with her son, Simon A.,
having reached her ninetieth year. Unto
this worthy couple were born ten children,
seven of whom are now living, namely :
John T., a prominent farmer of Monroe
township; Charles, of Knox county; Simon
A., the subject of this review; Mary, the
wife of Augustus Barker, of Boone county,
Iowa; Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Hall, a
farmer of Pleasant township, Knox county ;
Emma, the wife of Ross Pumphrey, of Clay
township, Knox county; and Fannie, the
wife of Dr. A. D. Welker, of Gambier.
Simon Augustus Colwill acquired his
early education in the common schools of
Knox county, with a preparatory course at
Harcourt grammar school, and his studies
were completed in Kenyon College, of Gam-
bier, Ohio. In 1876 he entered the school-
room as an instructor, following that pro-
fession for six years during the winter
months, while in the summer seasons he
was employed in the work of the fields. In
1880 he assumed charge of the old home
place, which he farmed on shares until his
father's death, and he then conducted the
same for his mother. In 1889 he purchased
a tract of thirty-seven and a half acres ad-
joining the homestead on the east, and he
has since carried on the work of both places.
His efforts along the line of his chosen vo-
cation have been attended with a high de-
gree of success, and he is now classed
among the leading and representative agri-
culturists of the township.
The marriage of Mr. Colwill was cele-
brated on the 2d of October, 1882, when
Miss Emma McKee became his wife. She
is a native daughter of Knox county, and
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
her father, Charles McKee, is a prominent
farmer of Harrison township. The union
of our subject and wife has ben blessed
with five children, — Pearl B., who is attend-
ing the high school at Gambler; Everett,
who is also a student in that city; Ernest, at
home; Harold, deceased; and Burton, at
home. The Republican party receives Mr.
Colwiirs active support and co-operation,
and for about eight years he has served as
a member of the school board, the cause of
education ever finding in him a firm friend.
His religious preference is indicated by his
membership in the Episcopal church, while
his wife is identified with the Christian
church.
STEPHEN CRAIG.
Numbered among the veterans of the
Civil war is Stephen Craig, one of the na-
tive sons of Knox county and a representa-
tive of one of its old and honored pioneer
families. His birth occurred September 27,
1 83 1, on the farm on which he now resides,
his parents being Jonathan and Polly
(Kiser) Craig, whose family numbered
eight children, although only two are now
living, the brother of our subject being
James S. Craig, who also lives in Monroe
township. The fatlier was bom in New
Hampshire about 1780, and there spent his
youth, learning the shoemaker's trade during
that period. About 1805 he emigrated west-
ward, and when he had reached Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, took up his abode in the Stilly set-
tlement, one mile west of Mount Venion, in
Clinton township. There he purchased fifty
acres of land, and in connection with farm-
ing worked at his trade, doing considerable
in that line for the pioneer settlers who were
far removed from the manufactories of the
east. In 1816 he sold his first property and
purchased a quarter-section of land where
his son Stephen is now living. Taking up
his residence there, he continued to superin-
tend the cultivation of his land until death
ended his labors in 1850, when he was sev-
enty years of age. He was a veteran of the
war of 1 812, and was the first coroner ever
elected in Knox county, being chosen for
that office when there were only forty votes
polled in the entire county. In politics he
was a stanch Whig, and of the Christian
church he was an active and zealous mem-
ber, his life being in harmony with its teach-
ings. His wife was born in Rockingham
county, Virginia, in 1793. Her father was
a native of Germany and was the son of a
wealthy miller there. When he was refused
permission to come to this country he ran
away from home and crossed the broad At-
lantic, taking up his abode in Virginia,
where he followed the trade of milling.
When the colonists aroused by the oppres-
sive taxation of England resolved to sever
all connection with the British crown, he
joined the American anny and fought for
the independence of the colonies. His death
occurred in Virginia in 1810, after which
his widow, with her son John and her
daughter, Mrs. Craig, came to Knox county,
settling in Mount Vernon. From that time
forward Mrs. Craig was a resident of this
locality, and here her death occurred in Jan-
uary, 1886, when she was more than ninety-
two years of age.
It is only through imagination that we !
can realize the conditions which existed in i
Knox county at the time of the boyhood of '
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
93
of our subject, for great changes have oc-
curred since then transforming this region
into l^eautiful homes and farms, thriving
villages and enterprising cities. It was in a
log schoolhouse that he pursued his educa-
tion, while his training at farm- labor was
received in the fields on the home farm,
where he began work almost as soon as he
was old enough to reach the plow handles.
He was only nineteen j^ears of age at his
father's death, after which he and his broth-
ers conducted the place, but when the Civil
war was inaugurated his patriotic spirit was
aroused, and putting aside all personal con-
siderations he entered his country's service,
enlisting on the loth of October, 1861, as
a member of Company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of
Sherman's Brigade and was assigned tO' the
Army of the Cumberland. When the com-
pany was organized Mr. Craig was ap-
pointed sergeant. In July, 1862, he was dis-
charged on account of illness, but in 1864
he re-enlisted in response to the call for men
to serve one hundred days, and became a
member of Company F, One Hundred and
Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He
was discharged in September of that year,
by reason of the expiration of his term.
Returning to his home, Mr. Craig re-
sumed work upon the farm, and as his finan-
cial resources permitted he purchased the in-
terests of the other heirs in the home place
until, in 1875, he became sole owner. He
has since continued its cultivation and the
neat and thrifty appearance of the place in-
dicates his careful supervision. In his work
he is uniformly successful, and the many
improvements upon his farm add to its value
and attractive appearance.
On the 1 2th of December, 1880, was
celebrated the marriage of Mr. Craig and
Mrs. Caroline Ouinn, nee Young, the widow
of Thompson Ouinn. She was born in
Geauga county, Ohio, a daughter of Reese
C. Young, who came to Knox county in
1839. Mr. Craig is an earnest advocate of
Republican principles, and on that ticket in
1880 was elected county commissioner of
Knox county. In 1883 he was an unsuc-
cessful candidate. In 1886, however, he
was a second time elected, so that his in-
cumbency in that office covered six years.
He is a member of Monroe Grange, Patrons
of Husbandry and of Joe Hooker Post, No.
21, G. A. R., and is as true and loyal to
his country in times of peace as when, robed
in the blue uniform of the army, he followed
his countr_y's flag on southern battlefields.
THOMAS S. PHILLIPS.
One of the widely known and esteemed
residents of Wayne township, Knox county,
is Thomas S. Phillips. He was born on the
farm on which he now resides, on the 27th
of January, 1835, a son of Richard and
Sarah (Denna) Phillips. The father was
born in Sussex, England, about 1800, and
was there reared and educated. During his
boyhood days he studied navigation, and for
some time thereafter followed a sailor's life.
He was married in his native land, and in
1 82 1 came with his bride to the United
States, locating in Clinton, Knox county,
where he worked at farm labor for a time
and later opened and operated a distillery.
In later years he purchased the farm on
94
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
which oiir subject now resides, and there he
remained until within eight years of his
death, when he removed to Mount Vernon.
He was a stanch Republican in his polit-
ical views, and was an active and worthy
member of the Episcopal church, having
been one of the founders and active spirits
in the erection of the house of worship at
Mount Vernon, while for a number of years
he held office therein. His wife departed
this life in 1866. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Phil-
lips were born ten children, four of whom
still survive, namely : Benjamin W., a
farmer of Wa}-ne township, this county;
Thomas S., of this review; William A., of
Paulding county, Ohio ; and Richard W., of
Wayne township, Knox county.
Thomas S. Phillips has spent nearly his
entire life on the farm on which he now
resides, and during his youth he enjoyed
the educational advantages afforded by the
common schools of his locality. In 1856
he went by the water route to California,
where he followed mining for a short time,
and was then engaged in the commission
business and in freighting into the mining
districts. In 1863, after seven years spent
in the Golden state, he returned to his old
Ohio home on a visit, but he was persuaded
by his friends and relatives to remain in
Knox county, and accordingly he pur-
chased the old home farm on which he was
born and reared and which was endeared
to him* through recollections of his boy-
hood days. Here he is engaged in general
farming, and for the past few years has also
operated a thresher, meeting with a high
degree of success in both branches of his
business. In 1890 Mr. Phillips returned on
a visit to California.
His marriage was celebrated in 1864,
when Miss Elizabeth Bonner became his
wife. They became the parents oi four chil-
dren, only one of whom is living, Charles
M. Mrs. Phillips has also answered the
summons to the home beyond, passing away
in 1876. For his present wife our subject
chose Miss Emma Ewalt. The Republican
party receives Mr. Phillips' hearty support
and coK>peration, and for three years he
served as trustee of his township, refusing
longer to continue in office, although he has
often been solicited to accept the nomina-
tion for county commissioner. Religiously
he is a worthy and acceptable member of the
Episcopal church.
MARTIN J. HORN.
Washington county, Pennsylvania, fur-
nished many pioneers to Ohioi, and they
were men of the highest character and abil-
ity and their descendants are leaders in vari-
ous communities at the present time. The
old Pennsylvania family of Horn is repre-
sented in Harrison township, Knox county,
and perhaps no one who bears the name is
better known than Martin J. Horn, long a
successful farmer and who is now living in
well earned retirement.
Martin J. Horn was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1822, a son
of John Horn, who was born in the same
county, within six miles of the seat of jus-
tice, in 1799. John Horn was reared to be
a fanner and miller, and on his farm of
three hundred and forty-five acres he owned
a mill. He was in all sense a man of suc-
cess and prominence. He was a Whig and
Republican and an active and liberally help-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
9S
ful member of the Baptist church. Martin
Horn, father of John Horn and grandfa-
ther of Martin J. Horn, was born on the
same farm in Washington county which was
the birthplace of John Horn, and he Hved
to be eighty-four years old. Hartman
Horn, father of Martin Horn and great-
grandfather of Martin J. Horn, was born
in Germany, and was an early settler in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he
purchased public land and was in his time
a well known farmer.
John Horn married Mary Gantz, who
was born at Ten Mile Creek, Washington
county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1799, and
she died in 1866. John Gantz, her father,
who was a farmer, miller and distiller, was
a native of Germany, as was also his wife.
He achieved success in his 'time and lo-
cality as a man of affairs. John and Mary
(Gantz) Horn had children as follows:
Martin J., the first born, is the immediate
subject of this sketch. Mary Ann is dead.
George lives on the old family homestead
in ^^'ashington county, Pennsylvania. Mar-
garet is dead. Jacob died in the service of
his country in the Civil war. Elizabeth,
who is the widow of James Price, lives in
California. Hugh is engaged in farming in
Henry county, Iowa. Hannah lives in Iowa.
John is dead. William owns and lives on
a part of the old Horn property in Penn-
sylvania. Maria is the wife of George
Coogle, of Washington county, Pennsyl-
vania. Isaac is a prominent farmer and
stock-raiser of Moultrie county, Illinois.
The subject of this sketch was reared
at the old family home of Horn in Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania, as a farmer
and miller, but eventually engaged in team-
ing between Wheeling, West Virginia;
Cumberland, Maryland ; Pittsburg, Pennsyl-
vania; and other points with six-horse
teams, of which from time to time he owned
several. He came to Knox county in 1847
and began farming in Harrison township.
In May, 1848, in Butler township, he was-
married to Miss Sarah Eley, who was also
born there, a daughter of Michael and Cath-
arine Eley. They were early settlers in that
part of the county. Immediately after his
marriage Mr. Horn brought his wife to the
farm on which he now lives, and where he
had "bached"' it for a time. He has been
successful in his business affairs, and at
one time owned four hundred acres of excel-
lent land. He is regarded not only as a
progressive farmer but as an influential citi-
zen. In politics he is a Democrat, and in
religion he affiliates with the Christian
church. His wife, who died July 16, 1891,
bore him four children, — Mary R., who is
now Mrs. Jacob Black, and lives with her
father; and Hugh, John and Eley, all of
whom live in Harrison township, near their
father. Mr. Horn has given or sold to each
of his children on favorable terms a good
farm, and they have all entered upon active
life with excellent prospects.
BENJAMIN AMES.
That the plentitude of satiety is seldom
attained in the affairs of life is to be con-
sidered a most grateful and beneficial de-
privation, for where ambition is satisfied and
every ultimate aim realized — if such is pos-
sible— there must follow individual apathy.
Effort will cease, accomplishment be pros-
trate and creative talent waste its energies
in supine inactivity. The men who have
96
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
pushed forward the wheels of progress have
been those to whom satiety lay ever in the
future, and they have labored consecutively
and have not failed to find in each transition
stage incentive for further effort. Although
in his youth Mr. Ames did not meet that
laborious struggle which falls to the lot of
many men who later win success, his energy
and resolution has not been less marked than
theirs, and in the successful control of vari-
ous business interests of magnitude he has
displayed marked business ability.
Mr. Ames was born in the family home
■on High street, Mount Vernon, in 1870, a
son of the Rev. John G. and Elizabeth (De-
lano) Ames. The former, a native of Ver-
mont, devoted many years of his life to the
work of the ministry as a representative of
the Episcopal clergy, but is now living re-
tired in Washington, D. C. He married
a daughter of the Hon. Columbus Delano,
one of the most distinguished lawyers and
citizens that Ohio has produced. Their son,
Benjamin Ames, pursued his education in
the public schools and in the Columbian
Preparatory School in Washington, D. C,
and afterward matriculated in Princeton
University, in which institution he was grad-
uated in 1892. He then took charge of the
estate and affairs of his maternal grandfa-
ther, capably controlling the extensive busi-
ness associated therewith. He is now the
president of the Republican Publishing Com-
pany and the Mount Vernon Milling Com-
pany, and is a director of the First Na-
tional Bank of Mount Vernon. He is also
carrying on extensive farming interests in
this county, and he resides at his beautiful
country seat, Lakehome, in Clinton town-
ship.
In 1896 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Ames and Miss Isabel Kirk, a daugh-
ter of D. B. Kirk, of Mount Vernon, who
is treasurer of the C. O. Cooper Company.
They now have two children. Kirk Delano
and Elizabeth Delano. Fraternally Mr.
Ames is a Mason, and has taken all of the
degrees of the York rite, while of the Mys-
tic Shrine he is likewise a representative.
He holds membership with the Knights of
P}'thias and in politics he is quite promi-
nent, being a stanch advocate of Republican
principles and a member and treasurer of
the county committee. He does all in his
power to promote the growth and insure
the success of his party and actively co-op-
erates in many movements and measures
calculated to advance the material and in-
tellectual interests of his native county. In
his business afifairs he displays marked abil-
ity in not only planning but in successfully
directing important enterprises, and his un-
assailable reputation in commercial and in-
dustrial circles has gained for him a fore-
most position among the leading citizens of
Knox county, although he is yet a young
man.
. REV. ISAAC LEEDY.
From an early period in the development
and improvement of Knox county Rev.
Isaac Leedy has resided within its bor-
ders and has had marked influence upon
its material and moral development. He
is the minister of the Brethren church in
Berlin township and is a man of no
restricted influence, his labors having
had marked benefit in uplifting moral
standards. He was born in Bedford
county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1827,
Q^^Jui^cu2^ oZ!ke-c^
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
and traces his ancestry back tO' the land of
the Alps, for his great-great-grandfather,
Abraham Leedy, came from Switzerland to
America, taking up his abode in the Key-
stone state. The grandfather, who bore the
same name, was supposed to be a native of
Pennsylvania and there he spent his entire
life. The father of our subject was the
fourth Abraham Leedy and was born in
Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 5,
1787. After arriving at years of ma-
turity he married Elizabeth Zook, who
was born in Bedford county March
26, 1 79 1. The wedding was celebrated
February 2^, 1812, and they became the
parents of eleven children, nine sons
and two daughters, namely : John, Cath-
erine, Samuel, Jacob, Abraham, David,
Daniel and Joseph, all of whom have passed
away; Isaac, of this review; Susanna, t'.ie
widow of S. P. Dyer; and Aaron, who lives
in Richland county. In 1829 the parer:ts
reuioved with their family to Knox county,
locating in Berlin township, near the present
site of Ankenytown, which was built upon
the land that Mr. Leedy owned. He died
March 8, i860, in the seventy-third year of
his age. He was a member of the Dunkard
church and his earnest Christian life was an
example well worthy of emulation. His
wife passed away June 24, 1865, in her sev-
enty-seventh year.
Isaac Leedy, whose name introduces this
review, was only about two years old when
brought by his parents to Knox county in
the year 1829. His environments were
those of the frontier and with the family he
experienced hardship and trials incident to
pioneer life, also enjoying pleasures which
are otherwise unknown save in frontier
settlements. He began his education in a
little log school house which stood on the
present site of Ankenytown. He was an
earnest and thorough student and has al-
V. ays been a deep thinker and close reasoner.
At the age of eighteen he put aside all his
text-books in order to give his entire atten-
tion to the work of the home farm.
As a companion and helpmate for the
journey of life Mr. Leedy chose Miss Nancy
Bostater, the wedding being celebrated De-
cember 25, 1851. She was born in Mary-
land September 30, 1828, a daughter of
Jacob and Susanna Bostater, who came to
Knox county during her early girlhood.
They were the parents of ten children and
when the mother died, on the 4th of March,
1866, at the age of thirty-eight years, she
left a little babe only four days old. The
other children of the family are: Elias,
who was born October 10, 1852, and died
December 26, of the same year; William,
who v.as born December 15, 1853, and is
deceased ; an infant daughter deceased ; Eliz-
abeth, who was born October 15, 1856, and
is the wife of C. D. Martin, of Berlin town-
ship; Martha, who was born October 28,
1857, and died January 6, 1858; Caleb, who
was born November 21, 1858, and is now
a farmer of Berlin township; Hannah, who
was born Januarj^ i, 1861, and is the wife
of Charles O. Miller, of Berlin; Emily, who
was born June 17, 1863, and died March 3,
1865; Joshua, who was born September 12,
1864, and died March 7, 1865 ; and Susanna,
who was born March i, 1866, a babe at her
mother's death, and is the wife of B. C.
Debolt, of Berlin towhship. After the
death of his first wife Mr. Leedy was again
married, on the 23d of October, 1866, his
second union being with Miss Lovina
Wolfe, who was born in this county
98
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
March i6, 1838, a daughter of John
and Margaret Wolfe. Seven children
were born of this union: Minerva, who
was born October 27, 1867, and is
the wife of J. C. Hess, of Ankenytown ;
Noah, who was born October 2, 1870,
and died May 16, 1873; Mary E., who was
born December 5, 1872, and is the wife of
Fred ^vlerrin, justice of the peace in Morris
township ; Normanda, who was born June
II, 1875, ^"d "ii^d November 20, 1879; a
son who was born April 15, 1878, and died
unnamed ; Samuel Alva, who was born July
14, 1879, and is at home; and Verda A.,
who was born April 8, 1882, and is still
under the parental roof.
After his first marriage Rev. Leedy lo-
cated on the old homestead and lived in the
upper story of the old milk house, which
was a log building. In 1865 he removed
to what was known as the old Trayer farm,
and made his home thereon until 1885, when
he moved to his present place of residence
in Berlin township. He has erected all of
the buildings upon this place and he also
constructed buildings upon the Trayer farm,
including the house and barn. In his farm
work he is systematic, persevering and in-
dustrious, and thus has become the pos-
sessor of a desirable propertv, but in the
midst of his business cares he has found
time to devote to the work of the ministry.
In the spring of 1859 he was called to the
ministry of the Brethren church, and at once
began to equip himself for the work, up-
held in all his labors by his strong faith and
unwavering purpose to exercise his talents
for the benefit of the Master's cause. Rev.
Samuel Leedy, a brother O'f our subject, was
a minister of the Dunkard church at An-
kenytown, but taught views more nearly in
accord with the New Testament in observ-
ance of some of the ordinances, which re-
sulted in his own disfellowship being ac-
companied by Isaac and several others. A
new society was organized in 1859, gener-
ally known as "Leedyites," of which the
two brothers were the principal ministers.
Others who held similar views soon joined
them, and several societies were organized in
western Ohio and in Indiana. For upwards
of twenty-four years Isaac Leedy continued
as pastor of the local society, in the mean-
time giving a great deal of attention to the
propagating of the faith. Much dissatis-
faction developed among those who had
remained in fellowship with the old church
and steps were taken to again unite the three
branches of the church. At a conference
held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1883, the "Leedy-
ites," the Progressive Brethren and the
Congregational Brethren affected a consoli-
dation.
Not long after this event Rev. Samuel
Leedy removed tO' Vernon county, ^Missouri,
where he organized a society at Montevallo,
of which he became pastor, so remaining un-
til his death, on November 17, 1889, in his
seventy-fourth year. His son, Rev. Simon
Leedy, succeeded him, and so remains.
Since retiring from active pastoral work
Rev. Isaac Leedy has continued occasional
work in the cause of the Master, his chosen
field being mainly of an evangelical nature,
and his services are also widely sought to
officiate at marriage and funeral services.
Reared under the strictest rules of the old
Tunker society, he accepted all the teach-
ings and observances as authorized by the
Gospels until he united with the church.
He soon began careful investigation and
study and became a deep and careful Bible
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
99
student. He has since seldom taken things
for granted, but has demanded substantial
proof for support of any propositions. He
has held to that principle in his own preach-
ing, presenting onlj^ such arguments as were
substantiated by abundant testimony. With
no pretensions at elegance or finished ora-
tory, he possesses such pleasing address,
combined with forceful and vigorous lan-
guage, that few men have exerted more in-
fluence in Christian growth and development
of the community, and his work has resulted
in great good. He resides upon his farm in
Berlin township, comprising seventy-seven
acres. At one time he had a quarter section
of land, but he has rendered substantial as-
sistance to his children. He has served as
township trustee and was school director for
a number of years but refused other local po-
sitions. His life has been one ever actuated
by the strictest fidelity to duty and in the
work of the church his labors have been of
wide spread benefit. His straightforward
principles and genuine worth have made his
example well worthy of emulation and thus
to know Rev. Leedy is to honor and respect
him.
FRENCH W. SEVERNS.
French W. Severns, who is now^ serving
as county treasurer of Knox county, is a
native of Cochocton county, Ohio, born in
1863. When a little lad of eight years he
came to this county with his parents, Isaac
D. and Elizabeth (Mills) Severns, who' are
still residing upon a farm in Pleasant townr.
ship. His paternal grandfather, Samuel
Severns, son of Joseph Severns, was born in
Westmoreland county, Virginia, and served
in the war of 181 2 with the rank of first
sergeant. He was at Detroit at the time of
Hull's surrender and after the war he walked
from that place to Coshocton county, Ohio.
There he located lands in Newcastle town-
ship, and upon the farm which he there de-
veloped and improved he made his home
until his death, which occurred in 1884,.
when in his eighty-fourth year. He was a
very active and influential citizen there at
an early day, served as county commissioner
and filled other offices of public trust. He
was married in Co-shocton county to Miss
Mary Darling, a representative of one of
the honored pioneer families of the locality.
Her father was a leading stock-raiser and
his nephews now have the largest herds of
shorthorn cattle in central Ohio.
Isaac D. Severns, a son of Samuel and
Mary (Darling) Severns, came to Knox
county with his family in 1871, and has
since been identified with its farming inter-
ests. He, toO', is active and influential in
county affairs, and has always given a stal-
wart support to the principles of the De-
mocracy. He wedded Elizabeth Mills, and
their son, French W., is now the only one
of their children living in this county. The
others are Edgar C, a dentist practicing in
Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Thomas Hagerman,
of Huron county, Ohio; and Mrs. Charles
Hagerty, of Dodge City, Kansas.
In the public schools of Knox county
our subject pursued his early education, and
later attended the Northwestern University,
at Ada, Ohio. Later he engaged in busi-
ness in Michigan, but subsequently he re-
turned to Knox county and took charge of
his father's farm, which he continued to op-
erate until 1899, making a specialty of the
cultivation of fruit and of stock-raising-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTOR\^
The work was carried on along progressive
lines and his labors brought a good finan-
cial return.
In this county Mr. Severns was united
in marriage to Miss Olive Hagaman, of
Mount Vernon, a daughter of John Haga-
man, of that city. They have two children,
Edna Mildred and Robert Baning. Tlie
parents hold membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church and are people of the high-
est respectability, enjoying the merited es-
teem of many friends. Socially Mr. Severns
is connected with the various Masonic
bodies in Mount Vernon, the Knights of
Pythias I^odge and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. The fraternal spirit of
these orders he exemplifies in his daily life,
and is therefore accounted one of the loyal
representatives of the different societies with
■which he is identified. He gives the greater
part of his attention now to his official duties
and his course indicates that the confidence
reposed in him by his constituents is well
merited.
JOHN M. FAWCETT.
Ireland has furnished to America an ele-
ment of population which has been influen-
tial in the advancement of civilization,
patriotism and prosperity and for which our
country ought to be and is duly grateful.
Ohio was the objective point of many Irish
immigrants of the better class, and Knox
county received her quota of such pioneers.
One of the prominent Irish names in Harri-
son township is Fawcett, and of the family
to which it belongs John M. Fawcett is a
most worthy representative.
John M. Fawcett, who is one of the larg-
est land owners in Harrison township and
whose home farm is in section 12, was born
in that township May i, 1831, a son of
Arthur Fawcett, a native of Ireland, who
came to America when about twenty years
old and locating at Steubenville, Ohio. He
began life in the land of liberty by working
willingly at whatever his hands found to do.
He came to Knox county while yet a young
man, found a wife in Pleasant township and
began housekeeping in the woods in Harri-
son towniship in a house of round logs, but
this in time gave place to a house of hewed
logs, from which he moved to a frame house
on the farm which is now the home of his
son, John M. Fawcett. This was built in
1852, and there he died in his eighty-second
year. He was in the strictest sense of the
term a self-made man, for he was orphaned
in his childhood, and, left literally to shift
for himself, made a success in life in every
way. When he grew to manhood he es-
poused the principles of the old Whig party,
and he was one of the original members of
the Republican party. He wielded a marked
influence in public affairs, was well known
throughout the county and his death was
widely regretted.
Arthur Fawcett married Susannah
Smith, who was brought by her parents
when a cliild to Knox county. She died at
the age of sixty-eight years. She bore her
husband five sons and five daughters, all of
whom grew to manhood and womanhood,
and of whom the subject of this sketch was
the eighth child and fourth son in order of
birth. John M. Fawcett gained his educa-
tion in one of Harrison township's old log
school houses and established himself as a
farmer, being thus employed until 1861,
when he enlisted in Company K, Forty-third
OF KXOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in
which he served as a private for ten months.
He was then honorably discharged on ac-
count of disability and returned to his home.
He was married, January 14, 1858, to Miss
Hannah Workman, who was born in Brown
township, Knox county, Ohioi October 19,
1839, and died in October, 1874, leaving the
following named children : Workman, Ellen
Jane, Annie, Frank, Henry and Dora, all
of whom are living. Ellen Jane is the wife
of George Lepley; Annie is the wife of
Marvin Purdy; Dora married Benjamin
Bebout ; Workman married Rena O. Daniel ;
Frank married Bertha McKee; and Henry
married Alice Lamson. April 11, 1875, Mr.
Fawcett married Miss Nancy J. Workman,
a native of Brown township and a sister of
his deceased wife. Her parents were John
J. and Lucretia (De Witt) Workman, early
settlers of Knox county, Ohio. By his sec-
ond marriage he has two daughters, — Mat-
tie, who married Thomas Bebout, and Ida
May, who is still a member of her father's
household.
Mr. Fawcett has lived his life in Harri-
son township with the exception of three
years which, when a young man, were spent
in McLain county, Illinois. He gradually
acquired land until at one time he owned
four hundred and twenty-two acres. He has
divided two hundred and forty-two acres
among his children, and devotes his home
farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres
to general farming. He is a Democrat and
is proud of the fact that he voted twice for
William Jennings Bryan for the presidency.
He has been treasurer and trustee of his
township and has held other important local
offices. He is a member of Leroy Baker
Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of
Alount Vernon, and takes pleasure in recall-
ing army experiences by frequent com-
munion with old comrades-in-arms. In
township affairs he wields considerable in-
fluence, and his public spirit has been many
times put to the test, but has never been
found wanting.
CHARLES R. BRADFIELD, M. D.
Dr. Charles R. Bradfield is a prominent
physician of Danville, and has that love for
and devotion to his profession which has
brought to him success and won him a place
among the ablest representatives of the med-
ical fraternity in Knox county, his practice
being large and remunerative. The Doctor
was born in Brown township, Knox county,
Ohio, on the 31st of May, 1846. His pa-
ternal grandfather, James Bradfield, was a
native of the Old Dominion, and there spent
his entire life. He was a member of a
prominent Quaker family and was of Eng-
lish descent. His son, James W. Bradfield,
the father of our subject, also claimed Vir-
ginia as the state of his nativity, where he
was reared to the quiet duties of the farm.
Some time in the '30s he came to Knox
county, Ohio, locating in Union township,
where he remained for a short time, and
then took up his abode in Howard town-
ship. His next place of residence was at
Danville, where he spent the remainder of
his life in quiet retirement, enjoying the
rest which he had so truly earned and richly
deserved. He passed away in death at the
age of seventy-three years, honored and re-
spected by all who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance. Prior to the Civil war he
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
gave his political support to the Democracy,
but later in life he became identified with
the Republican party, and on its ticket was
elected to many positions of honor and trust.
For nine years he served as justice of the
peace of his township, and for eight years
w-as the efficient commissioner of Knox
county, and he also held the position of
notary public. During the last ten years of
his life he was engaged in settling estates,
and it is often said that he did more busi-
ness in that line than any other man in this
part of the county.
As a companion for the journey of life
Mr. Bradfield chose Miss Sarah Sapp, a na-
tive of Union township, Knox couny, where
she was reared, educated and married, and
there her death occurred when she had
reached the seventy-fifth milestone on the
journey of life. Her father, Levi Sapp, was
a native of the state of Maryland. In 1809
he accompanied his parents on their removal
to Knox county, where they were among
the early pioneers, and there his father,
George Sapp, became a prominent farmer
of Union township. He was of Dutch de-
scent, and was a Catholic in his religious
belief. In this county Levi Sapp was reared
and educated, and his death occurred in
Mount Vernon. The marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Bradfield was blessed with eleven
children, nine of whom grew to years of ma-
turity, and all were born in Knox county.
Those who still survive are: Charles R.,
the subject of this review; Lydia, the wife
of William Body, a resident of Jefferson
township; L. S., who makes his home in
Liberty township, Knox county; William,
also of Liberty township; Thomas J., of
Holmes county; and Mary, the wife of Al-
bert Moor, of Canton, Ohio.
Drw Bradfield, the eldest child in the
above family, obtained his elementary edu-
catimi in the common schools of his town-
ship, and later enjoyed superior advantages
along that line in the academy at Danville.
When nineteen years of age he began the
study of medicine in the office of Dr. Calvin
Sapp, of Danville, who continued as his pre-
ceptor for the following four years, on the
expiration of which period, in 1870, our
subject entered the old Cleveland Medical
College. He subsequently matriculated in
the Detroit Medical College, graduating at
that institution with the class of 1871. With
a thorough knowledge of the science of med-
icine. Dr. Bradfield then entered upon the
practice of his chosen profession in Danville,
where he remained for one year, and for
the following seventeen years he was a
prominent medical practitioner of Mount
Liberty. For the past thirteen years he has
made his home in Danville. His skill and
ability soon became recognized, and he was
not long in building up an excellent practice
in this city. His life has been characterized
by energy, perseverance and hard work, and
to these principles his success is due, and
he now enjoys the honor of being conceded
the acknowledged peer of any physician in
Knox county.
The Doctor was married, January 5,
1868, to Miss Sarah Dunlap, a native of
Butler township, Knox county, and a daugh-
ter of Salathiel and Ann (Burkholder) Dun-
lap, early pioneers of this locality. The
Doctor and wife have had three children,-7-
James D., at home; Elizabeth, the wife of
Lieutenant Lanning Parsons, who served in
the Cuban war in the Philippines, returning
home as first lieutenant of the Fourth United
States Cavalry, and now located at Fort
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
103
Leavenworth; and Estella, deceased. They
also have two grandchildren, — Harriet E.
and Isabelle. In political matters the Doc-
tO'r gives his support to the Republican
party, and religiously he is a member of the
IMethodist Episcopal church, in which he
has long served as a trustee. In his social
relations he is a member of the State ]\Ied-
ical Society, the County Medical Society,
the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and of
Mount Zion Lodge, F. & A. M., of Mount
Vernon. As a citizen he ever stands ready
to discharge any duty devolving upon him,
but his extensive practice requires the
greater part of his time and attention.
SIMON C. LEPLEY.
The well known representative of the
honored family of Lepley whose name is
the title of this sketch is an old citizen of
Harrison township, Knox county, Ohio',
having been born on the farm on which he
now lives February 12, 1832. His father,
George Lepley, a native of Pennsylvania,
was at the age of eleven years brought to
Knox county by his parents, who were
among the early pioneers. He was reared
in Harrison township and lived there the
industrious and useful life of a progressive
farmer, dying at the advanced age of ninety-
four years.
George Lepley, father of the subject of
this sketch, married Barbara Baughman.
who was born in Pennsylvania and brought
to Knox county by her parents. She lived
to be ninety-five years of age. George and
Barbara (Baughman) Lepley had eight chil-
dren, of whom Simon C. Lepley was the
seventh in order of birth. The boy was
reared to a practical experience of the work
of clearing, improving and cultivating land
and developed into a resourceful and suc-
cessful farmer. Such educational advant-
ages as were available to him he obtained in
subscription schools taught in log houses of
primitive construction, with slab seats and
benches, puncheon floors, big open fire-
places and windows of greased paper. He
remained with his father, assisting him in
carrying on the home farm, operations until
he was thirty-two years old.
In 1864 Mr. Lepley married Sarah Bean,
a native of Jo' Daviess county, Illinois. Miss
Bean, who was reared and educated in her
native county, was at the time of her mar-
riage temporarily in Wisconsin, where she
met Mr. Lepley, who was there on business
and who brought her back to Knox county
as his wife. They began housekeeping in a
log house on the farm on which Mr. Lepley
now lives, which later gave place to a more
commodious and better appointed residence.
In 1884 they removed to Mount Vernon,
where for four years Mr. Lepley was en-
gaged in the bakery business and where Mrs.
Lepley died in 1890. After the death of his
wife he went to Lima, Ohio, where he re-
m'ained about four months, going thence to
Columbus, Ohio-, from which city he re-
turned a month later to his farm, and he has
since devoted himself to its management and
to blacksmithing. His farm consists of
ninety-five acres, well improved and under
cultivation and equipped with a good resi-
dence and adequate barns and other out-
buildings.
Mr. Lepley is not without influence in
township affairs and has twice been elected
to the office of assessor. In politics he is
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
independent, voting always for the man who
he regards as best qualified for the place to
which he aspires. He is a member of the Dis-
ciples' church, has filled some of its official
positions and been active in its work. He is
honored not only as an old citizen of his
township, but as a man of prominence and
public spirit. Simon C. and Sarah (Bean)
Lep'ley had three children, named Lawrence
K., Lee and Jeanette. Lawrence K. married
Effie M. Farmer and operates the home-
stead; Lee married Anna Colgin, who re-
sides on a near-by farm; and Jeanette re-
sides with her brother and devotes herself
to teaching music.
SAMUEL SEVERNS.
Samuel Severns has passed the sev-
enty-fifth milestone on the journey of life,
and having put aside the more arduous cares
of business is now quietly living retired at
his home in Mt. Vernon, enjoying a well
merited rest. He is a native of Virginia,
his birth occurring in Botetourt county on
the 14th of January, 1827, his parents be-
ing Jonathan and Sarah (McNare) Severns.
When he was five years of age his parents
left the Old Dominion and removed toi Knox
county, Ohio, and in 1836 the father entered
land from the government and began the
development of a farm. The son assisted in
the arduous task of clearing and improving
the new farm as his age and strength woiild
permit, and in the subscription schools he
pursued his education, for there were no
public schools at that time. On entering
business life for himself he followed the oc-
cupation to which he was reared, but later
he abandoned farming and secured a posi-
tion in a boiler yard. Subsequently he
drove a team for a Mr. Norton, and was
thus engaged for eleven years.
On the 24th of November, 1853, Mr.
Severns was united in marriage to Miss
Sarah Jane Hickman, a daughter of Thom-
as C. and Catherine (Fox) Hickman. Unto
them were born six children, namely : Thom-
as W., a brick mason residing in Mount
Vernon ; William Bryant, a boilermaker who
resides in Columbus; Robert E., who fol-
lows the same line of business and makes
his home in Mount Vernon; Iva May, as-
sistant librarian in Mount Vernon; Frank
Marion, a paperhanger and painter of this
city; and Fred G., who is a graduate of the
Mount Vernon school and noiw employed as
a salesman in Mount Vernon.
In his political faith Mr. Severns is a
Republican, but while he has kept well in-
formed on the issues of the day and stanchly
supports the principles of the party he neyer
sought office as a reward for party fealty.
He holds membership in the Methodist Epis-
copal church and his life is in harmony with
its teachings. He was ever straightforward
and reliable in business, faithful to his duties
of citizenship and honorable in all life's re-
lations.
THOMAS C. HICKMAN.
Thomas Chaney Hickman became one
of the honored pioneers of Knox county and
was deeply interested in its work and devel-
opment, doing what he could to promote its
welfare. He was a native of Pennsylvania
and was a representative of an old Quaker
family of that state. His parents were
Thomas and Mary (Frame) Hickman, also
natives of the Keystone state, and the father
was a soldier in the war of 1812. When
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
105
eighteen years of age he came to Ohio and
engaged in teaching school in Waj'ne coun-
ty. He also studied survej'ing and he came
to Mount Vernon to do clerical work for
Mr. Kinton, one of the first officials of the
county. He also did similar work for Audi-
tor Ben Smith and a Mr. Herred, and thus
he became widely known to many of the
leading citizens. His worth and ability be-
ing recognized, he was elected to the office
of county surveyor and held that position
for several terms, discharging his duties in
a most commendable manner, owing to his
skill in the line of his profession. He con-
tinued to engage in surveying for many
years.
Mr. Hickman was united in marriage to
Miss Catharine Fox, a daughter of William •
and Mary Fox, and unto them were born
eight children: Robert M. and George
Washington, both of whom are now de-
ceased ; Sarah Jane ; Robert Marion, who is
living in Warsaw, Indiana ; Mary E. ; Will-
iam W., deceased: Catharine, deceased; and
Thomas J., of Springfield, Ohio. The fa-
ther died in 1869 and his loss was deeply
felt throughout the community. In his work
as county surveyor he had formed a wide
acquaintance, and his genuine worth, genial
disposition and honor won him many
friends. He was an active factor in the
early development of the county, and did
much of the surveying during the period of
the pioneer settlement here.
MARVIN LYBARGER.
Reference has been made in these pages
to the value of Pennsylvania stock as an
influence in western civilization and tD' the
prevalence of Pennsylvania blood in Knox
county, Ohio. A representative of an old
Pennsylvania family in Harrison township
is Marvin Lybarger, a prominent farmer
in section 11. and the son of a pioneer. He
was born there May 2, 1838.
Andrew Lybarger, father of Marvin Ly-
barger, was born and reared in the Key-
stone state and came a single man to Knox
county, Ohio. He bought a farm in Har-
rison township, on which he located after
his marriage in a house of round logs, which
as soon as possible he replaced with a house
of hewed logs, the latter serving its purpose
until it was superceded by a commodious
modern residence. He cleared and put his
land under cultivation and improved a good
farm, successfully continuing its work un-
til his death, which occurred before he was
sixty years old. He is honored as having
been one of the pioneers of Knox county,
and he is remembered as a well educated,
affable man who had been a school teacher
in Pennsylvania. Long after he took up his
residence in Knox county, the woods about
him abounded in bear, deer and other va-
rieties of wild game, and roving Indians fre-
quently appeared in the Ohio settlements.
His ancestors came from Germany, and in
Pennsylvania were men of substantial worth-
Andrew Lybarger married Catharine
Lybarger, also a native of Pennsylvania who
had been brought as a child to Knox coun-
ty by her parents, Frederick Lybarger and
wife, who were early settlers in Harrison
township. She died before she attained the
age of seventy years. She bore her hus-
band five sons and four daughters, two of
whom died young and only four sons are
now living. Of these children, the subject
of this sketch was the seventh child and
jo6
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
fourth son in order of birth. He \vas reared
in Harrison township and gained a prac-
tical common school education in the
log school houses in his vicinity, mean-
time gaining a good knowledge of farm-
ing, in which he has been actively en-
gaged until the present time. He was
married on January 17, 1861, to Cleora
Lepley, a native of Harrison township, born
June 19, 1838, a daughter of William and
Densey (Purdy) Lepley, of an old family in
Knox county. Her parents were both na-
tives of Pennsylvania and something of their
history is given in a biographical sketch of
her brother, Marvin Lepley, which appears
in this work. Mrs. Lybarger, who was the
third in order of birth of her parents' family
of nine children, was reared and educated in
Harrison township. After his marriage Mr.
Lybarger located on what is now known as
the Uncle Jake Welker farm in Harrison
township and lived upon it until 1868, when
he bought the farm known as the old Devore
farm, in the same township, which was his
home until 1890, when he moved to his
present homestead, still retaining ownership
of the Devore farm. The two farms aggre-
gate two hundred and nine acres and both
are under a good state of cultivation and
well equipped for modern farming. Mr.
Lybarger is recognized as one of the pro-
gressive farmers of Knox county. He is de-
voted to the general principles of the Dem-
ocratic party, but is so independent of po-
litical bondage that he makes it a rule to
vote for men rather than measures. He is
widely known as a stockman and has for
years made a specialty of sheep, of which he
has raised and handled large numbers, each
year fattening a flock of from seventy-five
to one hundred head.
Marvin and Cleora (Lepley) Lybarger
have had four children. Their son Silas
married Savilla Witt and has a daughter
named Clorah. They live near his father.
John A. died at the age of seven months.
Their son, Emanuel S., who is a partner of
his father, as is also Silas, married Bertha
Eley. By his first wife, Ollie Henwood, he
has a daughter named Lula M., and by his
present wife has two sons, named A\"alter
Henry and Clarence Dewey. Alfred Dean
Lybarger, a young man of twenty, is still
at home with his father.
MARVIN LEPLEY.
No eastern state furnished to the west
a more \-aluable part of its pioneer popula-
tion that Pennsylvania, and no state in the
west is more greatly indebted to Pennsyl-
vania than is Ohio. Prominent among the
names of Pennsylvania settlers in Knox
county is that of Lepley, which belongs to
a family now well represented in Harrison
township and in its various branches in other
parts of the county.
Marvin Lepley, who is a prominent
farmer of Harrison township, was born
there October 26, 1847, ^ son of William
Lepley, a native of Pennsylvania. In boy-
hood the latter came to- Knox, county and
lived there until he was about fifty years
old, when he was killed by an accident in a
sawmill. Jacob Lepley, father of William
Lepley and grandfather of Marvin Lepley,
was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was
the original pioneer of this particulai: fam-
ily of Lepleys in Knox county. Densey
Purdy, who married William Lepley and be-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
107
came the mother of Alarvin Lepley, was born
in Pennsylvania and was brought by her
parents to Ohio when she was two years old
and later came with them to Knox. county.
^Ir. and Mrs. William Lepley had nine chil-
dren, the eldest of whom died in childhood,
the youngest at the age of eighteen years.
Marvin Lepley was their seventh child and
fourth son in order of birth. The recollec-
tions of his childhood cluster around a little
log house in the woods, which was the
humble home of the family, and about a
primitive school house, in which he attended
an old-fashioned subscription school.
]\Ir. Lepley was a member of his father's
household until he was twenty-three years
old. He was married November 14, 1869,
to Lydia Shellman, a native of Wayne coun-
ty, Ohio, who was brought to Knox county
at the age of three years by her parents,
William and Susan (Freeman) Shellman,
early settlers in Wayne county. Mrs. Lep-
ley's mother died at the age of sixty; her
father died two years ago. They had two
sons and three daughters, of whom she was
the fourth in order of nativity. After his
marriage Mr. Lepley located on the farm on
which he now lives, building upon it a log
house, which was his home until he could
replace it with a better one. His present
comfortable residence was built in 1894.
His farm consists of one hundred and fifty-
six and one-half acres and is devoted to gen-
eral farming and the raising of cattle and
hogs. Mr. Lepley was reared in the Demo-
cratic faith, and has since majority voted
the Democratic ticket persistently and con-
sistently. His influence in local political af-
fairs is recognized by his fellow townsmen,
whom he served six years in the office of
constable, and he has filled other local of-
fices of trust and responsibility. He is a
member of the Mount Zion Lutheran church,
in which he has been called to imporant of-
ficial positions.
Marvin and Lydia (Shellman) Lepley
have had born to them three children : Ella,
who died unmarried at the age of twenty-
five years, and Charles and Dessie, who are
members of their parents' household. The
family are well known not only thoughout
the township, but in more remote parts of
the county, and the name is everjnvhere re-
spected. Mr. Lepley's career has been one
which has demonstrated the value of hon-
esty, integrity and perseverance to one who
would succeed in life, and those who know
him best know that his success is well de-
served.
CLINTON M. RICE.
Clinton M. Rice, one of the representa-
tive citizens and leading attorneys of Knox
county, is a native son of the Buckeye state,
his birth having occurred in Brown town-
ship, Knox county, November 7, 1857, and
is a worthy representative of a- prominent
old family of the Keystone state. His pater-
nal grandfather was born, reared and mar-
ried in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but
his death occurred in Knox county, Ohio, to
which place he .had removed in an early day.
He was a farmer and blacksmith bv occupa-
tion. Ephraimi Rice, the father of our sub-
ject, was a native of Bedford county, Penn-
sylvania, but in 1829 he came to this state,
locating on a farm in Union township, Knox
county. He afterward took up his abode in
Brown township, and there his death oc-
curred at the age of sixty-two vears. He
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
was a Democrat in his political views, and
for many years served as township trustee,
while for twenty-two years he was a mem-
ber of the school board. A sincere Chris-
tian gentleman, he long held membership in
the ^Methodist Episcopal church. Tlie moth-
er of our subject bore the maiden name of
Mary M. Porter, and she was bom on the
same farm which our subject claims as the
place of his nativity. She still survives her
husband, and has now reached the age of
sixty-seven years. Her father, John Porter,
was a native of Maryland, but he early be-
came a resident of the Buckeye state, and for
many years was recognized as one of the
foremost citizens of Knox county. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born seven chil-
dren, four sons and three daughters, all of
whom make their home in this county and
are an honor to an honored famih' name.
Clinton M. Rice, the immediate subject
of this review, attended the district schools
of Brown township in his early life, while
later he became a student in the Danville
Normal School, and his education was com-
pleted in Kenyon College. For twelve years
after leaving the schoolroom as a pupil he
followed the profession of teaching in Knox
county. He is a ripe scholar and assiduous
student, and his work as a teacher was at-
tended with a high degree of success. Dur-
ing this time Mr. Rice also pursued the
study of law, and in 1888 he was admitted
to the bar at Mount Vernon. In the same
year he came to Danville and at once entered
upon the practice of his chosen profession,
his worth and ability soon becoming recog-
nized, and he now enjoys a large and con-
stantly growing clientage. For ten years he
was engaged in the banking business in com-
pany with Mr. Wolfe, but he then retired
from that industry in order to give his en-
tire time to his lan'ge law practice. During
his residence in Danville he has also become
an important factor in the public life of the
town, and has served his fellow townsmen
in many positions of honor and trust. ; He
has been a member of the school board since
1888, and in Brown township, in 1882, he
was elected a justice of the peace, receiving
everv vote cast in the township for that of-
fice.'
On the 4th of No\-ember, 1886. was cele-
bTated the marriage of ^Ir. Rice and Miss
Osena M. Gillmore, a native of Knox coun-
ty and a daughter of Francis and M. J.
(Loney) Gillmore, prominent early settlers
of this county. A daughter has come to
brighten and bless the home of our subject
and wife, Mary C, who is the light and
life of the household. Mr.- 'Rice is a worthy
and acceptable member of the Masonic or-
der, holding membership in Danville Lodge,
No. 546, F. & A. M., and is also a member
of the Maccabees. Religiously he is a prom-
inent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and pohtically he is identified with
the Democracy. He stands on the side of
progress, advancement and civilization, fa-
voring education, religion, law and order,
and whatever makes for the good of the
people as individuals and as communities.
CALVIN WEBSTER BECKLEY.
In reveiwing this history of Calvin
Webster Beckley one is reminded of the
words of a great New York financier, "If
you're not a success don't blame the times
you live in, don't blame the place you oc-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
109
cupy, don't blaaiie the circumstances with
which you are surrounded — lay the blame
where it belongs — to yourself. If you want
success you must pay the price." Realizing
the truth of this, Mr. Beckley has paid the
price — which is willingness to work, con-
tinued effort and indefatigable energy, and
thus he come to be classed among the sub-
stantial agriculturists of his native county.
He is a native of Clinton township, born
March 4, i860, his parents being Josiah and
Elizabeth (Veach) Beckley. His paternal
grandfather, George Beckley, was a native
of Pennsylvania and wedded Nancy Watson,
who was boTn in Maryland. Soon after-
Avard they emigrated westward, settling near
East Union, Ohio, and subsequently they re-
moved to Pleasant township, Knox county,
where the grandfather died at the age of
eighty-eight years, having been born in 1804,
while his wife, who' was born in 1803,
reached the very advanced age of ninety-two
3-ears. Their son, Josiah Beckley, the fa-
ther of our subject, was born in Coshocton
county, Ohio, and there remained until sev-
enteen ;years of age, spending the days of his
childhood and youth upon the home farm.
He was then married to Elizabeth Veach,
and with his bride came to Knox county,
where he lived until his life's labors! were
ended in death. Unto M'r. and Mrs. Beck-
ley were born twelve children, namely : Cal-
vin; Lorin Edgar; William L. ; Louisa El-
len, the deceased wife of Douglas Wilson;
Sarah Ann, who married Milton Strieker;
George W. ; Nancy L., deceased ; Mamie ;
Grace, who passed away; Mina Bell, the
wife of Frank Woods ; Daisy M. ; and Ellis
J. The .father died in 1894, but the mother
is still living on the oW homestead in Jack-
son township. She was born in Harrison
township and her entire life has betn passed
in Knox county.
Under the parental roof Calvin W. Beck-
ley was reared. During his minority his
parents lived first in Pleasant and then in
Jackson township, and in the common
schools near his home he pursued his educa-
tion, pursuing his studies through the win-
ter months until nineteen years of age, when
he left the schoolroom in, order to give his
entire attention tO' agricultural pursuits.
From the time that he was old enough to
handle the plow he has worked tO' a greater
or less extent in the fields, and his labors
have resulted in bringing to him a good an-
nual income. He now cultivates a good tract
of land. Tlie well tilled fields surround sub-
stantial improvements, including good out-
buildings and a comfortable residence.
On the 5th of February, 1889, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Beckley and Miss Anna
F. M'iller, a daughter of Charles H. and
Sarah Ann (Cavin) Miher, and a grand-
daughter of Jonathan Miller, a native of
Maryland. Mrs. Beckley was born in Mount
Vernon March 24, 1863, and represents one
of the early families of the county. Two
children grace the union of our subject and
his wife : Warner Miller, who was born
August 16, 1890, and Robeirt J. C, born
February 16, 1899. ^^- Beckley and his
family attend the services of the Disciples'
church, of which both are members. His
political views are in harmony with the prin-
ciples of the Democracy, and in 1896 he was
elected as one of the trustee of Morris town-
ship, serving continuously in this capacity up
to the present time to the entire satisfaction
of all concerned. He is one of the best
posted men on county affairs in Knox coun-
ty, and is a public-spirited man, giving his
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
aid and co-operation to all measures for the
general good. He has gained many friends
in this part of the state and therefore his
history cannot fail to prove of interest to
many of our readers.
MICHAEL \\^\NDER.
Michael Wander, a prominent early set-
tler and farmer of Knox county, was born in
Alsace, France, noAv a province of Germany,
on the 14th of February, 1829, a son of
Benjamin and Margaret (Oswald) Wander,
natives of the same province, but of Ger-
man origin. In 1829, soon after the birth of
our subject, they left their French home
and crossed the broad Atlantic to the United
States, locating in Yates county, New York.
In 1837 they removed from that locality to
Knox county, Ohio, a settlement being made
in Jefferson township, where the father
passed away at the age of sixty-two years.
The mother reached the ripe old age of
eighty-four years. This worthy couple be-
came the parents of seven children, five of
whom were born in France, and three of
the family died before the removal to the
new world. Only three of the seven chil-
dren are now living : Michael ; Benjamin, of
Danville; and George, of Perrysville, Ash-
land County, Ohio. Frederick died in Owen
county, Indiana, at the age of sixty-two
years.
Michael Wander, the eldest son and the
fourth child in order of birth, was only about
four months old ^\•hen he was brought by
his parents to America, and when he was
eight years of age he accompanied them on
their removal 'to Knox countv, Ohio. Dur-
ing his youth he enjoyed but limited educa-
tional advantages, and he was first taught
the German language, having been a lad of
thirteen years when he first began to learn
to speak and write English. He assisted
his father in the fields during the day, and
in the evenings he would devote his time
to study, using every opportunity to secure
an education. He remained with his parents
until his marriage, when twenty-six years
of age, after which he located on a farm in
Jefferson township, secured by the assist-
ance of his father, where he remained until
his removal to Union township, in 1883,
purchasing the farm which he now owns.
His home place, adjoining the village of
Danville, consists of one hundred and four-
teen acres of excellent land, all of which is
under a high state of cultivation and im-
proved with many and valuable improve-
ments, and there he is extensively engaged
in farming and stock-raising. He also owns
a tract of fifty-eight acres in Jefferson town-
ship. At one time his landed possessions
consisted of five hundred and ninety acres,
but he has since divided his land among his
children.
On the 13th of May, 1855, Mr. Wander
was united in marriage to Catherine Stillin-
ger, by whom he had five children, — John
B., Susana, Charlie, Mary and Peter. The
last named died when seven years of age.
The wife and mother was also called to her
final rest after a married life of about fifteen
years, and after her death Mr. Wander mar-
ried Mrs. Sarah (Baltner) Arnholt, the
widow of George Arnholt, and by her mar-
riage with our subject she became the mother
of one son, Edwin. She died after a com-
panionship with her husband of seventeen
vears. For his third wife Mr. Wander chose
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
I\Iiss Catherine Maple, of Berlin, Holmes
county, Ohio, their wedding being cele-
brated November 29, 1892. They also have
one son, Clinton, seven years of age. Our
subject cast his first presidential vote for
Lincoln in i860, but he is independent in his
political views, voting for the men whom he
regards as best qualified for public positions.
He served as trustee of Union and Jefferson
township, was treasurer of the latter town-
ship, and was there elected to the office of
justice of the peace, but this occurring just
at the time of his removal to Union town-
ship he therefore could not accept the honor.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, in which he has served as a trus-
tee. The family occupy a pleasant and com-
modious residence, where their hospitality is
enjoyed by their many friends. Their home
is one of the most desirable in this part of
Knox county.
JOSEPH F. BLUBAUGH.
This well and favorably known citizen
of Danville is extensively engaged in the
timber business. He was born in Jefferson
township, Knox county, Ohio, September
22, 1852. His grandfather, John Blubaugh,
was one of the early pioneers of 1 this coun-
ty, having located in this section when it
was inhabited principally by Indians and
wild animals. Benjamin Blubaugh, his son
and the father of our subject, claimed Penn-
sylvania as the state of his nativity, but
when a boy he came witb hisi parents to
Ohio, securing the eighty acres of land
which our subject now owns. He spent most
of his life upon this farm. In Knox coun-
ty, in 1835, he was united in marriage to
Shorten Heckler, a native of Hamburg,
Germany, but when a child she came to
Knox county. This worthy couple became
the parents of nine children, all of whom
grew to years of maturity and are still
living. '
Joseph F. Blubaugh, the fifth child and
third son in order of birth in the above fam-
ily, was reared to farm Jife in Jefferson
township, Knox county, and he received an
excellent common-school education in his lo-
cality. For twenty years after leaving the
schoolroom as a pupil he followed the teach-
er's profession, and with the exception of
three terms spent in Holmes county, Ohio,
he taught continuoush' in Knox county.
Throughout this period, however, he worked
in the fields during the summer months. In
1882 he went to Harper county, Kansas,
where he purchased a farm, but one year
later he sold his possessions there and re-
turned to the place of his nativity, where he
resumed his farming and teaching. In 1892
he abandoned the work of the schoolroom,
and from that time until 1899 ^^ gave his
undivided time and attention to the work
of the farm. In the latter year, however, he
took up his abode in Danville and engaged
in the timber business, buying and shipping
timber to Buffalo and Cleveland. As a busi-
ness man he is practical and progressive,
and his efforts in his chosen endeavor are
bringing to him handsome financial returns.
The marriage of Mr. Blubaugh,was cele-
brated in 1875, when Lillias J. Smith be-
came his wife. She is a daughter of Henry
and Rebecca Smith, prominent residents of
Jefferson township, Knox county. Unto
this union have been born four children, —
Edwin Gu}', a popular and successful teach-
er; Elna Varonica, at home; Estella; and
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Ida. On questions of national importance
Mr. Blubaugh' casts his ballot in favor of
the Democracy. For ten years he held the
office of justice of the peace in Jefferson
township, but on his removal to Danville
he resigned that position, and in 1901 he
was again elected to the office, being the
present incumbent. For many years he has
served as a school director, the cause of ed-
ucation ever finding in him a warm and
faithful firiend. The family are prominent
and active members of St. Luke's Catholic
church, Mr. Blubaugh having been onei of
the builders of that church in Danville, and
the stone used in its erection was secured
from his land. He has long served as a
steward of the church, and has ever taken
an active part in promoting its progress and
upbuilding.
4 « »
ALEXANDER CASSIL.
For more than two-thirds of a century
Colonel Alexander Cassil has resided in
Knox county and during the greater part of
the period since he attained his majority he
has been in the public service. His record
is one characterized by unfaltering al-
legiance to duty and his fidelity and trust-
worthiness have at all times gained him the
confidence and respect of his fellow men.
When the Union was imperilled by Rebel-
lion in the south he was among those who
stood in defense of the stan-y banner and
the cause it represented and at all times he
has been a loyal and patriotic citizen.
The Colonel is a native of Washington
county, Pennsylvania, where his birth oc-
curred in 1825, his parents being John and
Nancy (Welsh) Cassil. On the paternal
side the family is of Irish -lineage, Alexander
Cassil, the grandfather of our subject, hav-
ing been a native of county Armagh, Ire-
land, whence he emigrated to America, and
when the colonies attempted to throw off the
yoke of British oppression he joined the
American forces and aided in winning inde-
pendence for this republic. His son, John
Cassil, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and
thus in the various important wars of the
country the Cassil family has always been
represented by patriotic defenders of the
right. In 1834 John Cassil brought his fam-
ily to Knox county, Ohio, locating in How-
ard township, where he developed and cul-
tivated a farm, upon which he lived until his
death, in 1847, when he was seventy-four
years of age. His wife passed away in 1869,
at the age of eighty-five. They were con-
sistent Christian people, Mr. Cassil belong-
ing to the Presbyterian church, his wife to
the Disciple church. She was a daughter of
Robert Welsh and was of Scotch descent.
By her marriage she became the mother of
eight children : William, whoi served as
township treasurer, and died in Millwood,
this county, in 1867; Mary, who was the
wife of John Mcllroy, of Howard town-
ship, and died at the age of eighty-five years ;
John, who died in Howard township, in
1868; Nancy, who married Nelson Critch-
field and died in Ringgold county, Iowa,
near Mount Ayr, at the age of eighty-one;
James, who is living in Des Moines, Iowa,
at the age of eighty-six; Robert, a farmer
of Howard to-wnship, Knox county, now
eighty-four years of age; Esther, who be-
came the wife of Nathaniel Critchfield, of
Howard township, this county, and died at
the age of seventy-nine years ; and Alexan-
der, of this review, who is the youngest of
the family.
^
ALEXANDER CASSIL.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
113
When only nine j-ears of age Colonel
Cassil was brought by his parents to Knox
county, where he has since resided. His
youth was spent upon the home farm and
his education was acquired in the common
schools and in the Sloan Academy, in Mount
Vernon. He studied civil engineering and
surveying and became quite proficient in
those branches but remained upon the farm
until the country became involved in civil
-war. He had watched with interest the
progress of events in the south and when
a blow was struck against the Union he of-
fered his services in its defense and raised
Company A of the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infan-
try, of which he was commissioned captain.
He served in that capacity until 1862, when
he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant
colonel of his regiment, acting in that capac-
ity until wounds sustained at the battle of
Stone River forced him to resign in March,
1863. During his service as lieutenant col-
onel he had entire command of the regiment,
while Colonel C. H. Harper was in com-
mand of the brigade. In the battle of Stone
River his horse was shot and fell upon him.
He participated in the engagements at Shi-
loh, Perry ville and other battles and his own
bravery and loyalty inspired his men to
deeds of valor.
On leaving ihe service Colonel Cassil re-
turned to his home and in 1864 was elected
county auditor of Knox county, serving for
two terms, or until 1868. He then went into
railroad work as a civil engineer on the
Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, but
later was again called to public office, being
elected county auditor in 1875 ^"d again in
1877, so that he served until 1880, covering
altogether four terms' service in that posi-
tion. From 1880 until i88s he was asso-
ciated with his son, Austin, in the book bus-
iness in Mount Vernon and from 1885 un-
til 1890 he followed his profession. He
was then appointed city engineer of Mount
Vernon and has since occupied that posi-
tion, covering an incumbency of eleven
years.
In 1850 Mr. Cassil was united in mar-
riage to Miss Mary Jane Vincent, who died
in 1859, leaving two children: Austin A.,
an attorney-at-law of Mount Pleasant, Iowa,
who has a daughter, Mary Cassil, now in
Mount Vernon; and W. R., who died in
Mount Vernon in 1881, at the age of twen-
ty-three years. In 1874 the Colonel was
again married, his second union being with
Miss Jennie E. Hunter, a daughter of Sam-
uel Hunter, of Wayne county, Ohio. Their
children are Harvey H. and Hurd Alexan-
der. The former is now legal and statistical
clerk in the office of the state school com-
missioner, with headquarters in Columbus,
Ohio; while Hurd A. is a civil engineer in
the employ of the Pere Marquette Railroad
Company, at Saginaw, Michigan. He mar-
ried Miss Mabel Putt, of Mount Vernon,
and they have one son, Armond H.
The Colonel belongs to the Grand Army
of the Republic and is a prominent Mason,
having taken the various degrees of the
York rite, while in the Scottish rite he
has attained the thirty-second degree. He
is a past master of the lodge, past high priest
of the chapter, past illustrious master of
the council and eminent commander of the
commandery. He also is identified with
the Knights of Honor, and since twenty-five
years of age he has been a member of the
Disciple church. His life has been a busy
and useful one and in the public offices which
he has been called upon to fulfill he has ren-
114
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
dered efficient and faithful service, therein
showing himself as loyal to his country as
when he wore the soldier's suit of blue upon
the battlefields of the south.
GEORGE SAPP.
George Sapp, a member of an honored
pioneer family of the Buckeye state, was
born on the farm on which he now resides
on the loth of April, 1826. His grandfa-
ther, George Sapp, was a native of Mary-
land, but became one of the early pioneers
of Knox county. He built the first Cath-
olic church in Union township, also donat-
ing the ground upon which it was erected
and the St. Luke's cemetery lot. The church
was a small one-room log building. He
reached the eighty-fifth milestone on the
journey of life, and throughout his long and
useful career he soi lived as tO' win and retain
the respect and esteem of his fellow men.
Levi Sapp, his son and the father of our
subject, also claimed Maryland as the state
of his nativity, but when a babe he was
brought by his parents to this state, his
mother, who made the journey on horseback,
carrying him in a sack, while the father
walked and led the horse. He was reared
to the quiet pursuits of the farm, and his
marriage was celebrated in Somerset, Ohio,
to which place he rode on horseback, and
after his marriage he located on the farm
on which his son George now resides, where
he made his home for a number of years.
In 1882 he removed to Mount Vernon, and
there spent his remaining days, passing
away at the age of seventy-one years. He,
too, was a prominent member of St. Luke's
Catholic church. The lady who became his
wife bore the name of Mary Colopy. Her
father, Timothy Colopy, came to this coun-
try from Ireland and her mother from Ger-
many, and they became prominent early set-
tlers of Knox county, their deaths occurring
in Mount Vernon, where they had resided
for many years. The union of Mr. and Mrs.
Sapp was blessed with ten children, eight
of whom still survive, the eldest child in or-
der of birth being Sarah', the wife of Dr.
Bradfield, of Danville; another daughter,
Lucinda, resides in Union township, and is
the widow of John Durbin.
George Sapp, the second child and eld-
est son in .the above family, has spent his
entire life in Knox county, and during his
3'outh he attended a log schoolhouse, which
was furnished with slab seats and desks.
Since his marriage he has engaged in farm-
ing the old Sapp homestead, which consists
of two hundred and seventy acres of land,
all of which is under an excellent state of
culti\-ation and improved with good and sub-
stantial buildings, everything about the place
indicating the supervision of a thrifty and
progressive owner. In matters of national
interest he gives an intelligent support to
the Democracy, but at local election he votes
for the men whom he regards as best qual-
ified to fill positions of public trust and re-
sponsibility.
On July 24, 1853, Mr. Sapp was united
in marriage to Miss Delia A. White, also
a native of Knox county, born September 27,
1832, and a daughter of Anthony and
Keziah (Wade) White, early pioneers of
this portion of the Buckeye state. Seven
children have been born unto this union,
namely : Flora, the wife of John P. Breck-
ler, a prominent farmer of Howard town-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
"5
ship; Mary Keziali, wife of M. P. Ham-
mond, also a farmer of Howard township;
Ella, the wife of Patrick Percel, of Moimt
Vernon; Julian, who married Cassie Wig-
gins and makes his home in Howard town-
ship; Jennie, wife of P. J. Matingly, of
Licking county, Ohio; Lucy, wife of B. R.
Parker, of Cleveland ; and Bertha, who lives
with her uncle. Dr. L. W. Sapp, of Cleve-
land. The family were all born on the
farm on which Air. Sapp also^ opened his
eyes to the light of day, and they are all
members of St. Luke's Catholic church at
Danville, Mr. Sapp having assisted largely
in the erection of the house of worship. His
genial manner makes him popular in all cir-
cles, and his friends in the community are
almost as many as his acquaintances.
LYMAN W. BLACK.
Lyman Wright Black, a veteran of the
Civil war and a well-knoiwn farmer of Union
township, residing on section 24, has spent
his entire life in Knox county, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Union township October 2,
1835. The family is of German descent, and
was founded in America at an early day.
The grandfather of our subject was born
in Pennsylvania, where also occurred the
birth of Andrew Black, the father of Ly-
man, who was reared and educated in the
Keystone state, whence he emigrated to
Knox county at an early period in the de-
velopment of this part of tlie state. Here
he located upon a farm, which he conducted
throughout his remaining days. His polit-
ical support was given the Whig party until
its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of
the new Republican party, continuing one
of its warm advocates throughout his re-
maining days. For many years he served
as justice of the peace and his decisions
were distinguished by marked equity and
freedom from personal bias. He held mem-
bership in the Methodist church, and was
active in its work. His death occurred
when he had reached the age of seventy-five
years. Before leaving Pennsylvania he mar-
ried Sarah A. Huff, who spent her girl-
hood days in that state, where she was born.
She too, was of German lineage, and her
death occurred when she was about sixty
years of age.'
Lyman Wright Black was the fifth child
and second son in a family of six sons and
two daughters born unto his parents. He-
acquired his education in the district schools
and in his youth worked in the fields through
the summer months. When the country be-
came involved in Civil war he offered his
services tO' the government and enlisted in
Company B, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, in 1862. For three years he was
numbered among the defenders of the Union,
and participated in the battles of Arkansas
Post and Vicksburg, together with many
lesser engagements. For a time he was in
the hospital at Vicksburg and was then sent
to St. Louis. He received an honorable dis-
charge in Indianapolis, Indiana, after three
years' service, and at once returned to his
home in Union township, where he has since
been engaged in farming. He is to-day the
owner of one hundred and twenty-five acres.
of good land, all of which is under cultiva-
tion, and in the line of general farming he is
meeting with good success.
Mr. Black has been twice married. In
1869 he wedded Fanny Straight, and after
Ii6
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
her death he married Mrs. Anna Moore, the
widow of WilHam Moore. She was born in
Liberty township, Knox county, and is a
daughter of WilHam and EHzabeth (Houck)
Woodruff. Mr. Black belongs to Leroy
Baker Post, G. A. R., and for seventeen
years has been identified with Danville
Lodge, F. & A. M. He has lived a quiet
life, devoted to agriculture, but at all times
Tias commanded the confidence and trust of
his fellow men, and his circle of friends has
been extended as the number of his acquaint-
-ances has increased.
JOHN J. BLUBAUGH.
For more than seventy years John J.
131ubaugh has been a resident of Knox coun-
ty and has therefore witnessed the greater
part of its growth and development. He
"has seen its wild lands transformed into
beautiful homes and farms, while commer-
cial and industrial enterprises have been es-
tablished, contributing to the growth of vil-
lage and city, and churches and schools
have been buflt indicating the intellectual
and moral status of the community. In all
the work of progress Mr. Blubaugh has
borne his part and is justly accounted one
■of the honored pioneers of the community,
to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude
for what he accomplished in opening up this
region to civilization.
Our subject was born near Cumberland,
Maryland, January lo, 1828, and is of Ger-
man descent, his grandfather having come
from Germany to America and thus founded
the family in the new world. Benjamin
Blubaugh, the father of our subject, was
born, reared and married in Maryland, wed-
ding Onora Logsdon, and in 1828 he came
with his family to Knox county, locating
in Brown township, upon the farm now
owned by John Coleman. He built a log
cabin, made various other improvements,
and after a number of years sold the farm
to Samuel Durbin. Unto Benjamin and
Onora Blubaugh were born six children, of
whom John J. was the youngest and the
only son. He was but seven months old
when his mother died, she having lived but
a few weeks after reaching this county, after
which the father married Eliza Durbin, by
whom he had seven children, five of whom
are still living. In his political views Ben-
jamin Blubaugh was a Whig and afterward
a Democrat, and in his community was
called to serve in several local offices. He
held membership in St. Luke's Catholic
church at Danville, and died in that faith
wlicn about eighty-eight years of age, his
last days being spent in the home of our
subject. He was a stone mason by occupa-
tion, and helped lay the foundation for the
old St. Luke's church.
John J. Blubaugh was only six months
old when brought by his parents to^ Knox
county, and here amid the wild scenes of
frontier life he was reared, pursuing his ed-
ucation in a log schoolhouse, which was
heated by an immense fireplace and lighted
by greased paper windows. The other fur-
nishings were equally crude and the instruc-
tion was somewhat primitive in character.
His training at farm work, however, was not
meager, and he assisted his father until he
had attained his majority, when he started
out upon an independent business career,
being employed for two years by the day or
by the job at hard farm work, clearing,
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
117
grubbing, making rails and cradling in the
harvest field.
In 1852 as a companion and helpmate
for life's journey he chose Miss Mary Dial,
a native of this county and a representative
of one of its honored pioneer families. She
is a daughter of William and Rebecca (Ar-
nold) Dial. They began their domestic life
in Brown township, Mr. Blubaugh building
a house upon part of his father's land and
about forty-five years ago they came to their
home in Jefferson township, where they
have since lived. Here he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of land in the midst
of the forest. Not a tree had been cut upon
the place, but with characteristic energy he
began to clear the farm, and soon the wood-
man's ax awakened the echoes of the forest.
As the trees were hewn down and the brush
cleared away he began plowing and planting,
and in the course of a few years had a well
developed farm. When the first home which
he built was destroyed by fire, he immedi-
ately erected another one and added other
modern improvements, while his successful
cultivation of the fields brought to him a
comfortable competence.
Unto Mr. and ]\Irs. Blubaugh were born
eleven children, of whom three sons and four
daughters are now living: Maria, the wife
of James wSmith, of Jefferson township;
Jane, deceased ; James A. ; Basil ; Ellen, the
wife of Joseph Fritz, of Loudonville, Ash-
land county; Isabel, who has also passed
away; William. S. ; Ida, wife of Joseph Har-
lett; Victoria, wife of Frank Sapp; Agnes,
deceased ; and Margaret T., who' died when
about two months old. James A. Blubaugh,
who operates the home farm, married Sarah
Agnes Hess and has nine children : Anna,
Rosa, Cosmos, Bernard, Julius, John, Ag-
nes, Monica and Samuel.
In his political views Mr. Blubaugh was
first a Whig, and in i860 he voted for
Abraham Lincoln, but since that time has
adhered to the principles of the Democracy,
save in local affairs, when he votes inde-
pendently. He and his family are members
of St. Luke's Catholic church in Danville,
which he liberally assisted in building, and
much of the brown stone used in its con-
struction came from his farm, and which
he and his sons, James A. and William Sher-
man, quarried and donated. He also' do-
nated a memorial window as well as one of
the stations. His life has been one of un-
faltering industry, in which earnest labor
and honesty in all business transactions has.
brought to him success.
MICHAEL KAYLOR.
The career of Michael Kaylor has been a
successful one and entirely through his own
efforts, as the result of his industry, perse-
verance and capable control of his affairs,
he became one of the most extensive land
owners of the county. His home is now on
section 9, Jefferson township, and there he
is passing the evening of life quietly, for he
can look back over the past without regret
and forward to the future confident that all
will be well.
Mr. Kaylor was born December 20,
1 8 18, in Alsace, France — a province now
belonging to Germany — and was ten years
of age when he accompanied his parents on
their emigration to New York city, where
ii8
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
they landed on the completion of an ocean
voyage that was made in a sailing vessel.
They took up their abode in the state of
New York, where they remained seven
years, and then came to Ohio, settling first
in Holmes county. It was there that Michael
Kaylor was united in marriage, at the age of
twenty-eight years, to Elizabeth Wander,
and in Holmes county they began their do-
mestic life, there remaining for seven years.
When he attained his majority his father
gave him one hundred and fifty dollars,
which was all the help he had in starting out
in the world. Taking this sum to Zanes-
ville, he entered one hundred and twenty
acres of land along the east line of Knox
county and gave a man an eight-year lease
of the property, in return for which the man
w'as to clear forty acres of the land. On
coming to this county Mr. Kaylor took up
his abode in Jefferson township and pur-
chased the farm upon which he now lives
of Arthur Greer. Here he has since re-
mained, and through a long period devoted
Tiis energies to the cultivation of crops,
whereby he gained a very desirable com-
petence. As his financial resources increased
he added to his original place of oiie hundred
and sixty-five acres, and eventually became
the owner of seven hundred and six acres.
He has since given a good farm to each of
his sons, also one to a daughter and an
equivalent in money to another daughter, so
that his children have been well provided
for by a considerate father.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kaylor have been
born ten children : Sarah, the widow of
Samuel Brown ; George, of Morrow county,
Ohio; Mary, deceased; Benjamin, of Jef-
ferson township; William, who is at home
with his father; Philip, of Jefferson town-
ship; Simon, at the old homestead; Charles
M., of Jefiferson township; and a son and
daughter who died in infancy. The mother
died in 1894, after a long and happy mar-
ried life. The homestead is now conducted
by William Kaylor, whose wife was Ida
LeFevre, and has four living children:
Elfie E., Elmer J., Ethel E. and Edwin M.
Mr. Kaylor still holds a life lease upon
the old homestead, which is the visible evi-
dence of his active and useful career. His
example is certainly well worthy of emula-
tion, demonstrating what can be accom-
plished by strong purpose and untiring labor.
In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but
for many years has been a stalwart Repub-
lican. He was reared in the faith of the
Lutheran church, but has long been a con-
sistent member of the \A'esleyan Methodist
church at Greersville, and as an honored
pioneer, an upright business man, a consid-
erate husband and father and a sincere Chris-
tian gentleman he well deserves mention in
the history of the county which has been
his home for so manv vears.
ABRAHAM PARSONS. M. D.
Dr. Abraham Parsons, one of the lead-
ing physicians, is descended from an old and
highly respected family in the Old Dominion.
They trace their ancestry in that state to
Baldwin Parsons, the great-great-grandfa-
ther of our subject, who was born there at
about the time the state first became settled.
His son, Jonathan Parsons, was a native of
that commonwealth, and became the father
of Isaac Parsons, who also claimed Virginia
as the state of his nativity. The latter, how-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ever, became one of the early pioneers of
Holmes county, Ohio, where he followed
agricultural pursuits. He was three times
married, his first union being with a Miss
Hyatt, by whom he had six children. For
his second wife he chose Rachel Connor, and
six children were also born of that union,
while for his third wife he wedded Miss
Christian Darrah. Three sons and a daugh-
ter were born of that union.
Nathan Parsons, the third son of the
first marriage, was born in Holmes county,
Ohio, and on the paternal side he was de-
scended from English ancestry, while on the
maternal side he was of German descent.
He was reared and received his education
in the county of his nativity, there remaining
imtil 1856, when he located on a farm near
Danville, Union township, Knox county,
where he spent his remaining days, passing
away in death at the age of sixty-six years.
For a companion on the journey of life he
chose INIaria Workman, a native of Coshoc-
ton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Abra-
ham ^^^;>rkman, who was born in the state
of Maryland. In a very early day, how-
ever, he removed with his father, Stephen
Workman, also a native of Maryland, to
Coshocton county, Ohio, where they were
among the first settlers. Tire Workman
family in America is descended from seven
brothers who came to this country from
Germany in a very early day. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Parsons were born seven children,
four sons and three daughters, namely :
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Edith, Grace, Delia
•and Ida J.
Dr. Parsons, the eldest child in the above
family, was but eight years of age when he
accompanied his parents on their removal to
Knox county, and nearly his entire life has
been passed in this locality, the early educa-
tional privileges which he enjoyed being
those afforded by the neighborhood schools.
He subsequently entered Haysville Acad-
emy, in Ashland county, in which institu-
tion he was graduated in 1866, and immedi-
ately afterward he entered upon the study
of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr.
I. Putnam, of Brinkhaven, with whom he
remained until the spring of 1870, and in the
meantime he had graduated in Charity Hos-
pital Medical College, of Cleveland. Thus
with a thorough knowledge of the science
of the medical profession he began practice
in Brinkhaven, where he has even since re-
mained, having built up an excellent practice
and established a reputation as an able and
skillful practitioner.
May 29, 1869, the Doctor was united in
marriage to Miss Salena Lanning, a native
of Coshocton county, Ohio, and a daugh-
ter of Israel and Susan (McCoy) Lanning.
They have four children, — Lanning; Gladys,
wife of Dr. ^V. E. Purdy, a practicing physi-
cian of Akron, Ohio, and who has two sons,
Frederick and Meriwether; and Beryl and
Harriet, at home. The Doctor is a member
of the Masonic order at Danville, Ohio, ex-
emplifying its beneficent principles in his
everyday life.
Lanning Parsons, the eldest son of our
honored subject, was born in Black Creek,
Ohio. April 24, 1870, but was reared and
educated in Brinkhaven, also attending Ob-
erlin College, in which he was a student for
two years. In 1892 he entered West Point,
in which he was graduated in 1896, and was
afterward made second lieutenant of the
Ninth United States Cavalry, serving at Fort
Robinson, Nebraska, for about two years.
On the expiration of that period his regi-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ment was ordered to Cuba, thence to Fort
McPherson, Georgia, where he was engaged
in drilling recruits. He was next stationed
at Fort Apache, Arizona, from 1899 '•"''til
1900, and in the latter year was sent to the
Philippines, where he remained until his
regiment was ordered home. On the 2d of
February, 1901, Lieutenant Parsons was
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant of
the Fourth United States Cavalry, which
position he still retains, and is now stationed
with his regiment at Fort Leavenworth,
Kansas. In 1897 he was united in marriage
to Miss Elizabeth Bradfield, a daughter of
Dr. C. R. and Sarah (Dunlap) Bradfield, of
Danville, and they have two children, — Har-
riet E. and Isabel.
JOHN L. McKINLEY.
John L. McKinley, one of the well-
known and highly respected citizens of
Knox county, was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1848,
a son of Jackson and Elizabeth (Atkins)
McKinley. His father was born in Chester
county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of August,
1 82 1, a son of John and Mary (McDonald)
McKinley, both natives of Belfast, Ireland.
They were married in their native land, and
immediately thereafter emigrated to the
United States, locating in Chester county,
Pennsylvania, where he resumed the voca-
tion of teaching, having devoted his energies
to that profession in his native land, and
continuing in that occupation until his sev-
entieth year.
Jackson McKinley, the father of our sub-
ject, spent his youth and early manhood un-
der the parental roof, during which time he
received excellent advantages, graduating
from college with the honors of his class.
His marriage was celebrated in 1850, and
shortly afterward, leaving his wife in her
father's home in Jo Daviess county, lUi-
nois, he crossed the plains to California,
where he was engaged in mining for about
three years. In the spring of 1853 ^^ ^^~
turned to Jo Daviess county, where he was
engaged in agricultural pursuits until the
outbreak of the Civil war. At the first call
for volunteers he put aside all personal con-
siderations and nobly offered his services as
a defender of the stars and stripes. At the
close of his three months' term of enlist-
ment he re-enlisted in the Twenty-first Illi-
nois Infantry, under General Grant, in which
he served until hostilities had ceased and the
country no longer needed his services. Dur-
ing his army career he was promoted from
the ranks of a private to first duty sergeant
of Company E. He underwent many hard-
ships and privations during his experience
as a soldier, having lost his hearing through
the cannonading, and during the remainder
of his life he was almost entirely deaf. After
returning from the war he found his farm
had been sold and his family had removed
to Jones county, Iowa, in which place he
soon joined them, and there he remained un-
til 1868. In that year he removed to New-
ton county, Missouri, but after a short resi-
dence there he sold his possessions and went
to Cass county, that state, where his death
occurred in 1887. He became very promi-
nent in the public life of the localities in
which he made his home, and while residing
in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, he served for
two terms as assessor and collector, while
for the same length of time he also served
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
as county superintendent of public instruc-
tion. He was, however, never an aspirant
for political honors, preferring to give his
time principally to liis business duties. For
five years he was a worthy member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
For his wife ^Ir. ]\IcKinley chose Eliza-
beth Atkins, who was a native of north-
eastern Kentucky and a daughter of Robert
and Hannah (Ball) Atkins, natives of
^Maryland and of Welsh descent. For a
number of years the father was employed as
a boatman on the Ohio river, running from
Allegheny City to Cairo, Illinois. The
union of Mr. and ]Mrs. McKinley was
blessed with eight children, five of whom still
survive, namely : John L., the subject of
this review; Robert P., a resident of Kan-
sas City ; Frances, who has been employed
as a teacher in a high school in Kansas City
for nineteen years; Mary, the wife of Clar-
ence \\'resler, who is a merchant at Kan-
sas City ; and Alonzo, cashier of the Santa
Fe & Mexico Railway Company. The
mother of this family is still living, and now
makes her home in Kansas City, Missouri.
John L. }tIcKinley, whose name intro-
duces this review, remained in his father's
home until his fifteenth year, when he be-
gan to earn his own living, and for the fol-
lowing year was employed by a neighboring
farmer. When the trouble between the
north and south precipitated the country into
civil war our subject loyally ofifered his serv-
ices to his country's cause, enlisting in 1863
in Company E. Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry,
but before his company left for the field of
action he was taken home by his Grandfa-
ther Atkins. But he still persisted in becom-
ing a soldier boy, and later he ran away from
his home and went to Galena, Illinois, where
with a schoolmate he again enlisted for
service. He then returned to his home to
gain the consent of his parents, and on the
24th of December, 1863, he donned the blue
as a defender of the starry banner, serving
as a true and loyal soldier until November
14, 1865, when hostilities had ceased. At
the battle of Arcada, Tennessee, his horse
was shot under him and he was wounded in
the knee. During his military career he
took part in many hard-fought battles and
skirmishes, took part in Price's raid and was
engaged in warfare against Ouantrell in
Missouri.
Returning to his home with a military
record of which he has every reason to be
proud, Mr. McKinley then went to Galena,
Illinois, but on the 21st of May, following,
he returned to Jones county, Iowa. On the
6th of May, 1865, with a two-horse wagon,
he started alone for the Indian Territory,
where he joined a schoolmate who was en-
gaged in trading with the Indians, arriving
at the latter's place on the 9th of the fol-
lowing June. On the 25th of that month he
went to Humboldt, Kansas, where he re-
mained for a time with friends, and in July
secured a position as driver on the stage
line, his route being from Humboldt to Ot-
tawa, which position he continued to fill for
fourteen months. From the following Sep-
tember until February he was at Baxter
Springs, Kansas, for the next two and a half
years was engaged in driving cattle from
Texas into Kansas, and in 1870 he jour-
neyed to Denver, thence to Colorado Springs
and Trinidad, on to Bait's Ranch, New Mex-
ico, Virginia City, Montana, and next to
Montgomery county, Kansas, where he se-
cured a claim and was also employed by a
mill company receiving a dollar and a half
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
per day. Mr. McKinley's next employment
was as overseer of a ranch belonging to a
civil engineer, which occupation claimed his
time until 1874, and in that year he pur-
chased a threshing outfit and continued its
operation for the following two years, hav-
ing operated the first threshing machine in
Montgomery county, Kansas. The year
1876 witnessed his' arrival in Knox county,
Ohio, where he was engaged in farming in
Howard township until the spring of 1889,
when he was appointed to the position of su-
perintendent of the county infirmary, con-
tinuing to fill that oflice for ten consecutive
years, when he resigned, but in the following
year he was reappointed, and is the present
incumbent.
In Montgomery county, Kansas, Mr.
McKinley was united in marriage to Miss
Barbara Workman, a native of Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, and a daughter of Amos Work-
man, a prominent farmer of Howard town-
ship. He came to the Buckeye state from
Maryland, and was among the very early
pioneers, his death here occurring. Tlie
union of our subject and wife has been
blessed with one child, Clinton, who is now
a prominent farmer of Liberty township.
They have also reared an adopted daughter
from the age of three months, Miss Maud
McKinley. Mr. McKinley exercises his
right of franchise in support of the meri and
measures of the Republican party, and for
three terms he served as trustee of his town-
ship. Socially he is a member of Danville
Lodge, F. & A. M. ; Sycamore Valley Lodge,
I. O. O. F. : and Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R.
In manner he is courteous and genial, and
among the people with whom he has been
so long connected he is very popular.
JOSEPH C. BROWN.
As a young man this gentleman came
to America, and without capital started out
in a strange land to overcome the difficulties
and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His
youthful dreams have been realized, and in
their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting re-
ward of his earnest toil. He is now recog-
nized as one of the leading and successful
agriculturists of Knox county.
Mr. Brown was born in county Cork,
Ireland, on the 15th of November, 183 1, and
was reared on a farm in his native land.
In 1856, in company with his parents, he
left the land of his birth, and on a sailing
vessel crossed the broad Atlantic tO' the new
world, spending thirty-nine days on the voy-
age. After their arrival here the family lo-
cated in Clermont county, Ohio, where our
subject was engaged at farm labor by the
month for the following six years. On the
expiration of that period he located in Col-
lege township, Knox county, where he pur-
chased twenty acres of land and immedi-
ately set about the task of making a home.
He cleared and improved his land, and
thereon erected a small log cabin, but in 1865
he sold that place and purchased fifty-eight
acres of partially improved land in Pleasant
township, remaining there until 1894. In
that year he came to his present homestead,
which consists of one hundred and sixty
acres of land, all of which is under a fine
state of cultivation, improved with good
and substantial buildings and everything
about the place indicates the care and super-
vision of a practical and progressive owner.
The marriage oi Mr. Brown was celebrated
on the 31st of March, 1861, when Maj-y
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Clark became his wife. Seven children have
brightened and blessed their home, namely :
Mary E., v\'ho is still with her parents ;
Martha J., the wife of John R. Seymour, of
Mcnroe township, Knox county; John T.,
a member of the firm of Brown Brothers,
prominent liverymen of Gambler; Clark G.,
who is engaged in business with his brother
John; Margaret C, deceased; Alice, who is
conducting a millinery store in Mount Ver-
non ; and Joseph H,, at home. The Democ-
racy receives Mr. Brown's hearty support
snd co-operation, and religiously he is a
member of tJ^e Episcopal church. His course
in life has ever been such as to command the
confidence and respect of all with whom he
has come in contact, and he justly merits
the high regard in which he is held by his
fellow men.
PERRY ROOF.
One of the boys in blue of the Civil war
and at all times a loyal citizen, true to the
interests of county, state and nation. Perry
Roof is numbered among the representative
farmers of Knox county. The Roof family
was one of the first founded in this locality,
and its members took an active part in its
development through the pioneer epoch in
its history. Our subject's grandfather,
Jacob Roof, was a native of the Old Do-
n^inion, but in a very early day he came to
Knox county, where he was engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits in Union township. He
was of German descent.
Jacob Roof, Jr., the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Rocking'ham county, Vir-
ginia. When a young man he left the place
of his nativitv and came to the Buckeye
state, locating at Danville, Knox county.
Shortly afterward he entered the land on
which our subject now resides, which was
then covered with a dense growth of timber,
but he immediately began the arduous task
of clearing his place, erected a small log
cabin, and soon his fields were made to pro-
duce abundant harvests. He spent the re-
mainder of his life on this farm, passing
away at the age of seventy-seven years. In
political matters he was first a Whig, but
after the organization of the Republican
party he joined its ranks and was ever after-
ward a loyal supporter of its principles. Mr.
Roof was married at Danville, Ohio, to Miss
Mary Baker, who' was born in the Keystone
state, but she, too, was numbered among
the early pioneers of Knox county, whither
her parents removed when she was a small
child. She reached the age of seventy-six
years. This worthy couple became the par-
ents of ten' children, seven of whom grew
to years of maturity, and Mr. Roof, of this
review, was the seventh child in order of
birth.
During his boyhood days he attended the
log school house near his home, and in early
years he was also taught the value of indus-
try and honesty as a preparation for the
active duties of life. When the trouble be-
tween the north and the south threw the
country into civil war Mr, Roof nobly put
aside all personal considerations and ofifered
his services as a defender of the starry baia-
ner, enlisting in Company E, Sixty-fifth
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1862.
During his military career he took part in
many of the hard-fought battles of the war,
including that of Murfreesboro, and during
that t'me he was never seriously wounded.
Receiving his discharge at Hillsboro, Ten-
124
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
nessee, he returned to his liome with an hon-
orable mihtary record, and at once took up
tlte quiet pursuits of the farm. He has
spent his entire hfe upon the old homestead
which his father entered, and the place now
consists of one hundred and twenty acres, all
of which is under an excellent state of cul-
tivation and contains all the accessories and
improvements necessary for a well regulated
farm. Mr. Roof's social relations connect
him with the Patrons of Husbandry, and
with Leroy Baker Post, G. A. R., of Dan-
ville, in which he maintains pleasant rela-
tions with his old army comrades of the blue.
ISAAC EARLYWINE.
The subject of this sketch is of that
sterling old Pennsylvania stock, w^iich in
every state in the Lhiion has made for edu-
cation, commercial and financial advance-
ment. Adam Earlywine, his father, a native
of the Keystone state, married Susan Wolfe,
also of Pennsylvania nativity, and she bore
him eight children. Not long after their
marriage they came to Knox county, Ohio,
and located in Jackson township on the farm
now owned by their son, Isaac Earlywine,
and on which he was born August 5, 1818.
The elder Earlywine cleared land and put it
under cultivation and improved it until it
was a profitable agricultural property. He
served his country as a soldier in the war
of 1812 and was a man of influence in the
community, and he and his wife were com-
municants of the Presbyterian church.
Isaac Earlywine early became familiar
with all the details of clearing and improv-
ing land and carrying on successful farm-
ing, and during all his younger years w^as a
valuable assistant to his father. In 1840
he married Miss Lizzie Nichols, a daughter
of Thomas and Susan (Hendricks) Nichols,
who were natives of he Old Dominion and
were well-to-do farmers. Mr. Nichols was
also a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife
bore him eight children, of whom Mrs. Ear-
lywine was the second in order of nativity.
By his marriage with Miss Nichols, who
was brought toi Knox county when she was
nine years old, Mr. Earlywine has had four
children, who were named as follows in the
order of their birth : Susan M., Lizzie Ann,
Thomas J. and Mary D., but the last men-
tioned is now deceased. Susan M. is the
wife of Robert Voost, of Harrison town-
ship; Lizzie A. is the wife of Jackson Mc-
Cament, of Clay county ; and Thomas J.
married Mary Hallabaugh, and operates the
old farm.
Politically Mr. Earlywine is a Democrat
and he wields considerable influence in his
township, which he served as township trus-
tee five years. He has also been entrusted
with other public responsibilities, and in his
capacity as private counsellor is frequently
called upon to give advice in much business
of importance. He is a progressive man and
a friend to public education, and his fellow
citizens have come to know that his public
spirit is equal to all reasonable demands
upon it.
JOSEPH CRITCHFIELD.
Joseph Critchfield, the efficient and pop-
ular postmaster of Howard, is one of the
leading and representative citizens of his lo-
cality. He was born in Howard township.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
125
Knox county, Ohio, on the nth of October,
1838, a son of Lewis Critchfield, also a na-
tive of this county. The '\la;tter's father,
Joseph Critchfield, claimed Pennsylvania as
the state of his nativity, and after his mar-
riage he and his wife made the journey from
that state to Ohio on horseback, locating in
the dense woods of Howard township, Knox
county. They made their home for many
years on the farm now owned by Daniel
McGuigan, Jr., and Mr. Critchfield was sub-
sequently killed by a horse. His son, Lewis
C, the father of our subject, was reared to
years of maturity on his father's farm, and
upon taking up the active duties of life on
his own account he chose the occupation to
which he had been reared, and throughout
his active buginess career he followed the
tilling of the soil in Knox county. His life's
labors were ended in death when he had
reached the age of seventy-seven years. In
early life he gave his political support to the
Whig party, but after the organization of
the Republican party he joined its ranks and
was ever afterward a loyal supporter of its
principles. He held membership in the
Christian church, in which he took an active
and helpful interest, having greatly assisted
in the organization of the church at Mil-
wood, and for many years he was an officer
therein. For his wife he chose Mary J.
Dawson, who was born in Washington
county, Pennsylvania, but when a young
lady she accompanied her parents on their
removal to Knox county, Ohio, and her
death occurred when she had reached the
age of sixty-six years. Her father. Dr.
John Dawson, followed the tilling of the
soil in the Keystone state and was also a
physician by profession, following both oc-
cupations after his removal to Howard town-
ship. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Critch-
field was blessed with a family of six chil-
dren, of which our subject was the eldest
in order of birth. Two of the number died
in infancy, and a son, John Dawson Critch-
field, who was a prominent attorney of
Mount Vernon, was called to his final rest
in 1900. The two surviving daughters are:
Lienor, the wife of Matthew Welsh, of
Howard ; and Mary ]., the wife of J. Thorn-
ton Whitworth, a prominent farmer of Mon-
roe Mills.
Joseph Critchfield, whose name intro-
duces this review, has spent his entire life in
the place of his nativity, and the educational
privileges which he enjoyed in his youth
were those afforded by the log school house
of his neighborhood. In October, 1861, in
response to his country's call for aid, he en-
listed as a private in Company A, Sixty-
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in Jan-
uary, 1863, he was made a musician of his
regiment, serving in that position until the
close of the war. His military career cov-
ered a period of four years, two months and
eighteen days, and during that time he par-
ticipated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth,
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary
Ridge and many others equally important.
On the 1st of January, 1864, he veteranized
at Blain's Cross Roads, in East Tennessee,
and on the following March he received a
thirty days furlough, but during his stay at
home he was sick with the measles. Re-
joining his command on the 5th of April, he
took part in the battles of Jonesborough,
Spring Hill, Franklin, and in all the battles
of the Atlanta campaign. During his entire
career as a soldier he was never wounded or
captured, but he suffered greatly from sick-
ness, and at the close of hostilities, on the
126
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
26th of December, 1865, he received an hon-
orable discharge at Cokimbus, Ohio, retiring
from the service with the rank of first Heu-
tenant.
Returning to his home in Knox county,
Mr. Critchfield v>as for a time engaged in
mercantile pursuits with his father-in-law,
Jonathan Hammond, which relationship was
maintained for seven years, on the expira-
tion of which period our subject sold his
interest to his partner and for the following
nine years was engaged in farming in Union
township. He then took up his abode in Lan-
caster, Fairfield county, Ohio, where he
made his home until October, 1883, when he
came to Howard and again turned his at-
tention to mercantile pursuits, in partner-
ship with Eli Wolfe, thus continuing for
about ten years. Mr. Critchfield then sold
his interest to his partner, since which time
he has been engaged in superintending his
farm of one hundred and eighty-two acres
in Howard township, located one and a half
miles southeast of the village of Howard.
In 1864, during his absence from the
army on his thirty days' furlough, our sub-
ject was united in marriage to Mary E.
Hammond, who was born in Knox county,
Ohio, a daughter of Jonathan and Hannah
(Lybarger) Hammond. Two daughters
have been born unto this union, — Lulu, the
wife of George A. Cheney, station agent for
the Chicago, Akron & Columbus Railroad
at Mount Vernon; and Keturah, the wife of
Charles Cheney, who is engaged in the livery
business in Danville, Ohio. The Repub-
lican party receives Mr. Critchfield's active
support and co-operation, and during Presi-
dent Harrison's administration he was ap-
pointed to the office of postmaster of How-
ard and was reappointed in 1901, by Presi-
dent McKinley. In LeRoy Baker Post, G.
A. R., he maintains pleasant relations with
his old army comrades, and of the Methodist
'Episcopal church he is « worthy and hon-
ored member.
JUDSON ROBERT DRAKE.
The efforts that lead to success have been
manifest in the business career of J. R.
Drake, who is an enterprising farmer in
Howard township. He was born in this
township October 20, 1867. His grandfa-
ther. Dr. George Drake, came to Knox coun-
ty in 1847, and here devoted his energies to
agricultural pursuits. Smith Drake, the fa-
ther of our subject, was a native of Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania, and in the year
1847 took up his abode in Howard town-
ship, Knox county, upon the farm where his
son, J. R. Drake, now resides. He erected
one of the first sawmills in the township and
furnished much of the lumber used in build-
ing bridges in the early days. Throughout
his entire Hfe he conducted a sawmill, and
his business record was one of strict hon-
esty and fair dealing. In his political views
he was a Republican and religiously was con-
nected with the Jelloway Christian church,
taking an active part in its work. He held
a number of offices in the church, contribut-
ing generously to its support and did all in
his power for the cause of Christianity. He
married Florence McNutt, a native of Wash-
ington county, Pennsylvania, and a daugh-
ter of Robert McNutt, who was also' born
in the Keystone state and died in Knox
county, Ohio, about 1883. The father of
our subject died at the age of sixty-five years
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
127
and his wife passed away at the age of six-
ty-seven. They had three sons and three
daughters, aU of whom reached mature
years.
J. R. Drake is the fifth member and sec-
ond son in the family. His childhood days
were passed upon the farm, and in the prim-
itive schools of the neighborhood he pursued
his education, which was supplemented by
study in the Danville high school and by
one year's course in Hiram College. Much
of his life has been devoted to agricultural
pursuits, but for four years he was associ-
ated with Barbar & Company, wholesale
grocers of Mount Vernon. He remained in
the house for three years and then
went upon the road as a traveling salesman,
continuing in that service for one year.
With this exception he has always followed
farming, and to-day he is the owner of one
hundred acres of valuable land, rich and
arable and well improved, and which was a
part of the Drake homestead. He also has
other business interests, being- part owner in
a grocery store at Zuch and also in the Zuch
flouring mill. He possesses excellent busi-
ness ability, strong judgment and keen dis-
crimination, and his untiring industry, sup-
plemented by the qualities just mentioned,
have made him quite successful.
March 3, 1892, occurred the marriage of
Mr. Drake and Miss Bertha Johnson, a na-
tive of Pike township, Knox county. Her
parents, Marshall and Mary Johnson, died
when she was about a year old, and she was
then reared by her grandparents, B. C. and
Esther (Pealer) Harris. The marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Drake has been blessed with
one son, Gordon. Our subject and his wife
have a wide acquaintance in the county and
enjoy the high regard of many friends. He
is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his
advocacy of the principles of the party and
at one time served as justice of the peace in
Howard township. He is an exemplary
member of Mount Zion Lodge, No. 9, F. &
A. M., of Mount Vernon, is also identified
with the Modern Woodmen of America and
belongs to the Christian church of Jello-
way. His salient characteristics afe his en-
ergy and straightforward methods in busi-
ness, his co-operation with all measures
which he believes of public benefit, his loy-
alty in citizenship and his fidelity to every
duty.
BENJAMIN SMITH.
The late lamented citizen of Morgan
tcAvnship, Knox county, Ohio, whose hon-
ored name appears above, has a place in his-
tory as the man who entered the last one-
hundred-and-twenty-five-acre tract of gov-
ernment land in that township, and as one
who lived longer within the borders of the
township than any other of its citizens.
Benjamin Smith, son of James Harring-
ton and Martha (Davis) Smith, was born
in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 27,
1807, and was brought by his parents to
Knox county, Ohio, in 181 1. Such educa-
tion as was available to him he acquired near
his home in an old log school house with slab,
seats and benches, and a big fireplace and
greased-paper windows, and entirely desti-
tute of anything like a floor. He was
brought up toi farming and lived in the
township continuously from 181 1 until his
death, March 9, 1900, during the long period
of eighty-nine years. He improved his farm
and added to its acreage until it comprised
128
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
one hundred and forty-six acres. In early
life he was a Whig and later he was a Re-
publican, and he was influential in local af-
fairs, and was frequently called to places of
trust and responsibility, though he was in
no sense an office-seeker. He was a devout
and consistent member of the Baptist church,
always generously helpful to its various in-
terests.
Mr. Smith married Sarah Brown Jan-
uary ly, 1833. INIrs. Smith, who was born
in Loudoun county, Virginia, March 4,
1809, bore her husband two daughters:
Martha Jane, who was born March 31, 1834,
and died unmarried in 1855 ; and Sarah
Ann, who was born October 19, 1836, on
the farm on which she now lives and which
she successfully manages.
HON. ANTHONY BANNING.
In pioneer days Anthony Banning came
to Ohio and was actively identified with the
development and improvement of this sec-
tion of the state when it was a frontier
region. He was associated with agricultural
and industrial interests and was also active
in promoting the intellectual and moral
growth of the community. He was born in
Talbott cotinty, Maryland, May 13, 1768,
and his full name was James Mansfield
Anthony Banning. He was the only son
of James Banning, a landed proprietor of
large influence in that locality. The only
sister oi our subject became the wife of
Benjamin Chew, a most intimate friend and
associate of George Washington. He be-
came chief justice of the state of Pennsyl-
vania and resided in Philadelphia.
When our subject was quite young his
father died, and his uncle, Henry Banning,
a sea captain, became his guardian. He
took him on several sea voyages and pro-
vided him with good educational privileges,
intending him for the priesthood, for the
family were Catholics, but in his fourteenth
year Anthony Banning left the church of
his fathers and joined the Methodist church,
a course which cut him off from his own
people, who regarded him as lost on account
of his abandonment of the Romish church.
However, a long life of usefulness lay before
him, and he accomplished great good in the
world. At the age of eighteen he began
preaching as a circuit rider in Greenbriar
county and the mountainous districts of Vir-
ginia, and his zeal and earnestness in pre-
senting the cause of Christianity gained to
his Master's cause many followers.
Mr. Banning was married, July 30,
1 79 1, to Mrs. Sarah Pierce, a daughter of
Jacob Murphy, who became one of the first
settlers of Redstone, Pennsylvania, near
Uniontown. She was born on the eastern
shore of Maryland and was reared near El-
licotts Mills, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Ban-
ning became the parents of eight children.
Sarah married Daniel S. Norton, and re-
sided in Knox county. Jacob M. wedded
Miss Sophia Zimmerman, daughter of Gott-
lieb Zimmerman, of Mount Vernon. With
her children she removed to Hardin county,
and one of her family is no>v in Los Ange-
les, California. Rachel became the wife of
Rev. Elnathan Raymond and their daughter,
Mrs. George K. Norton, is living in Mount
Vernon. James S. has a son who is repre-
sented on another page of this work. Mary
became the wife of a Mr. Caswell. Betsy
married a Mr. Bronson, of Mount Vernon.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
129
Priscilla. who was born May i, 1801, was
married to Sewell Gray, of Massachusetts,
whose birth occurred April 9, 1806. He
died at Mount Vernon in May, 1862, and her
death occurred in 1891. Anthony Banning,
the youngest of the family, married Jane
Dudley, of Mount Vernon, and their chil-
dren are William B. and Frank Banning and
Mrs. Errett, of Mount Vernon.
In 1 79 1 Anthony Banning was ordained
to the Methodist ministry by Bishop Asbury.
While residing in Pennsylvania, near Mount
Braddock and Connelsville, he engaged in
preaching in those places, also conducted
a tan yard and a general store. He like-
wise served as justice of the peace from
1 79 1 until 1799, and was a prominent fac-
tor in the business, political and moral life
of the community. Between 1808 and 1812
he made several trips up the Muskingtmi
river with goods, and on some of these trips
purchased land in Knox county, whither he
removed in 1812. He traded tanned leather
and saddlery goods to Samuel Kratzer for
an interest in the site of Mount Vernon, and
during the long period of his residence in
this city he engaged in many pursuits, pros-
pering in all, for he was a man of marked
enterprise, determination and business abil-
ity. He conducted general stores at Mount
Vernon, Tymochtree and Danville, and was
the proprietor of a mill at Clinton, also con-
ducted a tan yard and extensively engaged in
farming. Though his business pursuits
were so extensive and varied he yet found
time to devote to his Christian work, and
was much of the time engaged in preaching
on Sundays and at all times exerted his in-
fluence, which was strongly felt in behalf of
the moral advancement of the community in
which he made his home. His political sup-
port was given the Whig party, and he
served as associate justice of the county from
1827 until 1834. He was active in every
movement for the benefit of the county and
town, and was the promoter of many meas-
ures for the general good. He built a church
upon his own land just at the time Bishop
Purcell was denied the use of all the otlier
churches, whereon Mr. Banning placed his
at the disposal of the Catholics, and the first
Catholic sermon delivered in Mount Vernon
was in the Banning church, as it was called.
He held to his own religious views tenaci-
ously, but accorded to others the same priv-
ilege. In the month of February, 1844,
Judge Banning was accidentally drowned
while crossing the ice west of Mount Ver-
non while going to his farm. He was hon-
est and conscientious, resolute yet liberal,
and was most kind-hearted and generous.
Knox county profited by his citizenship, and
the world is better for his having lived.
ELISHA WORKMAN.
Many are the representative farmers of
Knox county who have spent their entire
lives in this portion of the state, a fact which
indicates unmistakably the excellence of the
country and the advantages offered to its
citizens. Among this number is Mr. Work-
man, who was born in Brown township,
December 17, 1849, being the fourth son and
sixth child of the Rev. John J. and Lucretia
(De Witt) Workman. His childhood and
youth were passed upon the home farm, and
the district schools of the neighborhood af-
forded him his educational privileges.
Through the summer months he worked in
[30
A CENTEXXIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the fields and thus became familiar with
farm labor in all of its departments. He re-
mained with his parents until his marriage,
which important event in his life was cele-
brated June 12, 1878, the lady of his choice
being Mary C. Pryor, a native of Brown
township, and a daughter of Hammond and
Elizabeth (Lydic) Pryor, who came from
Belmont county, Ohio, to Knox county, the
ancestn,-, however, being Irish. Mrs. Work-
man is the eldest daughter in her parents'
family, and the second among nine children,
all of whom were born in this county. She
was reared in Brown township and educated
in the -district schools. After their marriage
our subject and his wife began their domes-
tic life on the old homestead where they still
reside, and their union has been blessed with
three children: Charlie H., who died at the
age of one year and five days ; Ada G. and
Ora D., both at home.
Mr. Workman has always carried on
general farming and in the home place he
owns and operates one hundred and forty-
six acres of rich land. He also raises fine
stock, including hogs, sheep, cattle and
horses, and has a large number of fine chick-
ens, which enabled him to sell sixteen hun-
dred dozen eggs in the year 1900. His busi-
ness is managed with excellent skill and
ability, and its various departments re-
turns to him a good income. In addition to
his other interests he is agent for the
Eureka Fertilizer Company, of Sandusky,
Ohio. He carries on his work in accord with
progressive spirit and methods of the twen-
tieth century, and his labors are bringing
to him a creditable prosperity. He has been
a life-long Democrat in nationel affairs, but
at local elections votes for the candidate re-
gardless of party affiliations. With the Ger-
man Baptist church he holds membership,
taking an active part in its work, and his
life has ever been in consistent harmony with
his professions.
FRANK O. LEVERING.
The Levering family is so well known
in Knox county that its representatives need
no introduction to the readers of this vol-
ume. When the Buckeye state was almost
an unbroken wilderness and the greater part
of the land was still in possession of the
government the family was founded here,
and those who have borne the name since
that time have faithfully carried forward
the work of upbuilding and improvement be-
gun by their ancestors. It was in the latter
part of the seventeenth century that the fam-
ily was first planted on American soil by
Gerhard Levering and his brother Wigard.
They were sons of Rosier Levering, who
was born in Holland of English or Anglo-
Saxon parentage, his father and mother hav-
ing been exiled from England on account of
their religious belief. Rosier Levering mar-
ried Elizabeth Vandewalle, of Westphalia,
Germany, and their son, Gerhard Levering,
was born in Gamen, Germany, ni 1660. In
1685, accompanied by his brother Wigard,
he braved the dangers incident to an ocean
voyage at that day and crossed the Atlantic
to America. He married, and among his
children was Daniel Levering, who was born
December 2, 1704, and on the 12th of May,
1735, was married, in Christ church, in
Philadelphia to Margaret Beane. Tliey re-
sided upon a farm of one hundred acres in
Whiteplain township, Montgomery county,
New Jersey.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Upon that farm, on the loth of June,
1738, there was born unto them a son, to
whom they gave the name of Henry Lever-
ing and who was the great-great-grandfa-
ther of our subject. For many years he re-
sided at the Durham Iron Works in New
Jersiey, but in 1785 removed from there to a
large farm in Belfast township, Bedford
county, Pennsylvania. He wedded Ann
Wynn, and their son, Daniel Levering, the
great-grandfather of our subject, was born
in New Jersey, February 3, 1764. In 1785
he accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to Bedford county, Pennsylvania,
where he married Mary Karney. In 181 1
he visited Knox county, Ohio, and pur-
chased a large tract of land from the gov-
ernment in Owl Creek valley, whereon he
located with his family, and there spent his
remaining days, his death occurring in 1820.
His widow died October 24, 1846, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty- four. They were
prominent members of the Presbyterian
church and leading citizens of the com-
munity.
Noah Levering, the grandfather of our
subject, was born in Bedford county, Penn-
sylvania, November 7, 1802, and in 1813
came with his parents to Knox county. He
was married here, March 25, 1828, to
Armanella Cook, daughter of John and Ann
Cook, who came to Ohio from Washington
county, Pennsylvania, about 1805. Their
daughter was born in 1809 and died June
13, 1879, while Noah Levering passed away
March 4, 1881. They were farming people,
and the town of Levering was laid out upon
their land.
John Cook Levering, their son, and the
father of Frank O., was born on the old
family homestead, in INIiddlebury township.
September 11, 1829, and was the eldest son
in a family of ten children. His youth was
spent in the usual manner of farmer lads of
that period, and as the years passed he as-
sisted his father in the control and manage-
ment of the farm. When twenty-one years
of age he purchased eighty acres from, his
father and began farming on his own ac-
count. As a companion and helpmate for
the journey of life he chose Miss Carrie
Richardson, and they were married in i860.
Her parents were Daniel and Thankful
(Camp) Richardson, the former a well
known lumber merchant of New York for
many years. Mr. Levering and his wife be-
gan their domestic life on the land which he
had purchased, and as the years passed their
financial resources increased so that he was
enabled to purchase other land and became
one of the wealthy farmers of the county.
He has been very prominent in agricultural
circles, and his influence has been felt
throughout the entire country in behalf of
the best interests of the farmer and stock-
raiser. His stock has won many first prizes
in all parts of the country, and he did much
to improve the grade of domestic animals
raised in this part of the state. In 1866 he
became a member of the Knox County Ag-
ricultural Society, of which he has since been
a representative, and for a number of years
he was honored with the presidency. But
other honors of a less local character have
been conferred upon him. In 1881 he was
elected a member of the Ohio State Board of
Agriculture. He assisted in the purchase
and improvement of the now beautiful state
fair grounds and buildings at Columbus,
Ohio. For six years he was a member of
the state board, was treasurer in 1885 and
j president in 1886. In 1883 he represented
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Ohio in the National Agricultural Conven-
tion in Washington. In 1887 the goveror
of Ohio appointed him a member of the
state centennial board, and he took an active
part in managing the Ohio Centennial cele-
bration held in Columbus in 1888. In 1890,
at the Ohio Annual Agricultural Conven-
tion, at the request of the state secretary of
agriculture, he read a paper on the Farmers
Horse and Horse Breeding. This led to the
formation of the Ohio State Draft and
Coach Horse Association in 1891, and of
this Air. Levering was elected, president and
served for three successive years. In 1871
he was elected county commissioner of Knox
county, and by re-election in 1874 filled the
position for six consecutive years. It was
in 1874 that iron bridges were built in the
county, an improvement to which he gave
his support. He was also instrumental in
building the county infirmary at a cost of
one hundred thousand dollars. In his po-
litical views he has been a life-long Demo-
crat, and in 1886 was the nominee of his
party for congress in the ninth Ohio con-
gressional district. He has ever been most
painstaking and conscientious in the dis-
charge of all public duties devolving upon
him, regarding an office as a public trust
which must not be betrayed. Early in life
he united with the Presbyterian church, in
which he has since been an active and zeal-
ous member. When a history of the Lever-
ing family was being prepared in 1891 he
acted as corresponding secretary. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Levering now reside at Levering,
Knox county, Ohio. They have the follow-
ing children : Noah C, of Richland county,
Ohio; Lloyd D., of Knox county; John Clif-
ton, of Toledo; Mrs. Nettie Barnhill, of
Mansfield, Ohio; and Frank O., of this re-
view.
Frank O. Levering was born on the old
family homestead in Middlebury township,
Knox county, September 29, 1862, and pur-
sued his early education in the district
schools, while through the period of vaca-
tions he assisted his father in the work of
fields and meadows. He afterward en-
gaged in teaching, and later was graduated
with honors in Eastman's Commercial Col-
lege, in Poughkeepsie, New York. Not de-
siring to follow the pursuit to which he had
been reared, he determined to enter the mer-
cantile field, and in 1885 established a store
in the town of Levering, but this did not
prove entirely congenial, and in 1890 he took
up the study of law in Mount Vernon, in
the oflice of Hon. Frank V. Owen, who di-
rected his reading until his admission to the
bar in 1892. He has since engaged in prac-
tice and has secured a very desirable client-
age. In 1883 he was appointed a member
of the board of electors of the county and
was twice reappointed, while in 1896 he was
elected probate judge for a term of three
years. Since his retirement from that of-
fice he has given his attention to his private
practice, which often partakes of a very im-
portant character, as he is retained as coun-
sel on many of the prominent cases tried in
the courts of the district.
The Judge was united in marriage to
Miss Byrdess E. Leiter, of Shelby, Ohio, a
daughter of Captain C. P. Leiter, who was
mayor of that city for a number of years.
Their union has been blessed with six chil-
dren: Howard A., Russell Edgar, John
Collin, Nina May, Carlos and Ada. In his
political views Judge Levering is a Demo-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
133
crat and attended the national convention
of his party as a delegate in 1900. He is a
valued representative of several fraternal or-
ganizations, belongs to the lodge, chapter,
council and commandery in the Masonic fra-
ternity, and of the last named has served as
eminent commander. He also belongs to
the Mystic Shrine. He is a past chancellor
of the Knights of Pythias lodge ; past grand
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and has filled many other offices in these
organizations. Like his ancestors, he has
ever taken a deep interest in everything per-
taining to the progress and welfare of the
county, and is an honored representative of
a worthy pioneer family.
W. B. MERRIMAN, M. D.
For twenty-two years Dr. Merriman has
been engaged in practice in Centerburg as a
skillful physician and surgeon. He was born
in Bloomfield township, Monroe county,
Ohio, March 20, 1854, and is the youngest
of three children of James and Emily
(Carey) Merriman. The father was a na-
tive of New York, although his parents
were Vermont people. He learned the car-
penter's trade in early life and when a
young man came to Knox county, Ohio,
where he was married and began his do-
mestic life. Later, however, he removed to
Morrow county, where he died at the age of
forty-eight years. His wife, who' was a na-
tive of Knox county and here spent her girl-
hood days, long survived her husband, and
passed away when in her eighty-first year.
Dr. Merriman pursued his literary edu-
cation in the district and graded schools of
Knox county, and having determined to
make the practice of medicine his life work
began reading the usual text-books on that
subject under the direction of Dr. Russell,
of Mount Vernon. Subsequently he entered
the Long Island College Hospital, in Brook-
lyn, where he was graduated with the class
of 1878, and for one year thereafter he
practiced in Marengo, Morrow county. The
following year, 1879, he came to Center-
burg, where he has since remained, his ar-
rival antedating that of any other physician
now actively connected with the profession
here. He has long maintained a position
among the leading- and capable members of
the medical fraternity in the county, for he
has always kept in touch with the advanced
thought and investigation which is daily car-
rying on the work toward perfection.
In 1878 Dr. Merriman married Miss Eva
Bird, a daughter of Milton and Melissa
(Robertson) Bird, who came to Knox coun-
ty from Connecticut about 1823. Here Mrs.
Merriman was born, and by her marriage
she became the mother of one daughter,
Zola B., who is now a graduate nurse of
the Grant Hospital in Columbus. In his po-
litical views the Doctor is a stanch Repub-
lican, believing that the principles of that
party are most conducive to the welfare of
the nation. He does all he can to secure
Republican successes, but has never been an
aspirant for political honors. He belongs
to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in
Centerburg and to the American Medical
Society, through which means he keeps
abreast with the advancement made in the
science of medicine. Close study, earnest
investigation and a sympathetic spirit have
enabled him to carry on his work most suc-
cessfully, both from a financial and profes-
sional standpoint.
134
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
LEVI BUTTLES.
Levi Buttles is descended from an old
and highly respected family, the name be-
ing formerly spelled Buttolph. His pater-
nal great-grandfather, John Buttolph, was
born in 1724 and was a captain in the Co-
lonial army during the struggle for inde-
pendence. In the latter half of the eight-
eenth century two of his sons, Jonathan and
Levi Buttolph, lived in Granby, Connecticut.
The former's eldest son, Elihu, moved to
Massachusetts, and while a member of the
legislature of that state had the spelling of
the name changed from Buttolph to Buttles.
This change seems to have been made to
conform to a corruption of the pronuncia-
tion which had been slowly taking place,
transforming Buttolph to Buttol, then to
Buttle, and finally, by a very common change
in the history of names, adding an "s."
The younger son, Levi Buttolph, became
the grandfather of our subject. He was
born in 1763, at Granby, and his death oc-
curred in 1805. He removed to Worthing-
ton, Ohio, in 1803, where he became one of
the early pioneers, and there he purchased
land of the Connecticut Land Company.
Unto Levi and Sarah Buttolph was born
in Granby, September 6, 1791, a son, who
was named Roderick. After the removal of
the family to Worthington, Ohio, in the
autumn of 1803 the son was baptized, and
at that time, disliking the name of Roderick,
and having always been called by the nick-
name "Rory," he prefixed an "A" to the lat-
ter and chose Arora as his baptismal name.
At the same time he adopted the spelling of
the family name which his cousin Elihu had
introduced, and thenceforth signed his name
Arora Buttles. But the four sons of- our
subject have decided, with the full approval
of their father and mother, to restore the
old spelling of the family name. Their chief
reason for the change is that the name
Buttolph, in the earlier English records also
spelled Botolf, Botolph and Butolph, is the
historic surname, and that the modern cor-
ruption is greatly regretted by most if not
all members of the family. Two or three
branches of the family in America have
steadily preserved the old spelling of the
name. Some of the branches which adopted
the corrupted spelling have died out in the
male line, and it is hoped that the change
now made will materially aid in the effort to
discard entirely the spelling Buttles in all
branches of the family of Buttolph.
Judge Arora Buttles married Harriet
Kilbourne, a daughter of Colonel James Kil-
bourne and Lucy, nee Fitch, the daughter
of John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat.
He is a representative of Thomas Kilbourne,
one of the original settlers at Wether sfield,
Connecticut. Colonel James Kilbourne set-
tled at Worthington, Ohio, in 1803 ; was one
of the most prominent men of early days
of Ohio; was a member of congress and
identified with all the early public life of this
state. He came to Scioto county and was
instrumental in settling a colony at JVorth-
ington. He also founded Bucyrus, Ohio,
and his grandson, Colonel James Kilbourne,
was lately a Democratic candidate for gov-
ernor.
Judge Arora Buttles, the father of our
subject, became a prominent contractor and
builder in Columbus, and was also engaged
in the pork-packing business in that city,
and there served the public as probate judge
for a time. In 1847 li^ removed to Cleve-
land, where he was engaged in the wholesale
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
lumber business until he retired from the
active duties of life and removed to Gambler,
where he spent his remaining days, passing
away on the 2d of April, 1864.
Levi Buttles, whose name introduces this
review, was graduated at Kenyon College
in the class of 1847, and on putting aside
his text-books to engage in the active duties
of life he entered upon a business life with
his father in Cleveland. In 1858, in com-
pany with S. N. Sanford, he assumed con-
trol of the Cleveland Female Seminary, be-
coming one of its proprietors, and so contin-
uing until 1880. Three years later he became
identified with the Cleveland Window Glass
Company as its vice-president, this concern
being one oi the largest of its kind in that
city. He was a wide-awake, energetic busi-
ness man of known reliability, and carried
forward to successful completion whatever
he undertook; but his life's labors were
ended in death on the nth of June, 1891.
For many years prior to his death he made
his home in Gambler, and was a prominent
figure in the social life of the town. He was
chosen by the alumni a trustee of Kenyon
College, so serving from 1873 to 1881, and
as such superintended the construction of
Delano Hall.
On the i8th of August, 1858, occurred
the marriage of Mr. Buttles and Miss Jane
E. Wright, who was born in Portage coun-
ty, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. Aaron K. and
Helen M. (Ashmun) Wright. She was a
cousin of Senator Ashmun, of Massachu-
setts, who' nominated Lincoln for the presi-
dency in the Chicago convention. His grand-
father, Dr. Amos C. Wright, was an early
pioneer of Tallmadge, Ohio, his eldest diild
having been the first white child born in that
township. The Doctor was also one of the
first trustees of Western Reserve College,
and for many years he was a prominent and
well known physician of his locality. The
union of our subject and wife was blessed
with six children. The eldest, Edwin K. But-
tolph, received his education in Hobart Col-
lege, and in 1881 he went to China as a
missionary, and after his arrival there he
became an employe of Tong-Kin-Sin, an
electrician in the first coal mine opened in
that country. While there Mr. Buttolph
built with liis own hands a telephone line
of about three-quarters of a mile in length,,
which was the first telephone ever built in
China. He returned to- accept the chair of
Chemistry in Hobart College, resigning to
engage in silver mining in Colorado, being
an expert assayer there and manager of
mines in Equador, South America. The sec-
ond child in order of birth, Mary, is the
widow of Wolcott E. Newberry and a resi-
dent of" New Haven, Connecticut. Helen
A. Buttles is at home. Alfred passed away
in death in April, 1891, aged twenty-three
years. He, too, was educated in Hobart
College. Guy H. Buttolph graduated in
Kenyon College with the class of 1892, and
is now mining in Equador, South America.
Henry W., also a graduate of Kenyon Col-
lege, in same class and who was valedictor-
ian, is now actuary of the Inter State Life
Assurance Company, of Indianapolis, In-
diana. Mr. Buttles, of this review, was a
Knight Templar Mason, and for many years
he was a member of the Episcopal church, in
whicli he was a very active worker. He was
treasurer of the diocese of Ohio from 1873
till his death. This was one of the most es-
sential and responsible ofSices of the diocese.
His widow and family are also identified
with the same religious denomination.
136
A CEiNTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
JOSIAH AI. PUMPHREY.
Tlie late Josiah AI. Pumphrey, of Clay
township, Knox county, Ohio, was one
whose life in many ways demonstrated the
value of high character and should serve
as a guide to young men who would succeed
along legitimate lines. Air. Pumphrey was
born in Belmont county, Ohio, June 4, 1821,
and died at his home in Clay township De-
cember 16, 1894. His parents were John
and Martha (Milligan) Pumphrey, and he
was their third child in order of nativit}'.
He was reared and educated in his native
county and came to Knox county in 1846.
He was married, February 24, 1849, in Clay
township and removed to Hartford, Licking
county, where he remained seven years. Re-
turning thence to Clay township, he fol-
lowed farming there until his death. He
was a member and for many years an elder
of the Christian church, of which he was
an active supporter and to whose Sunday-
school work he was much devoted. In pol-
itics he was a Republican from the organiza-
tion of that party. He served a short time
during the Civil war as a soldier in the
Union army, and was an honored member of
Emerson Lpdyke Post, Grand Army of the
Republic, of Martinsburg. In many direc-
tions he was prominent in local afifairs, and
he was well known throughout the county.
Mr. Pumphrey married Miss Celia Ross,
who was born in Clay township, Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, July 4, 1830, a daughter of Sam-
uel and Charity (Montgomery) Ross, he a
native of Greene county, Pennsylvania. Mr.
Ross was married in his native county, and
was a pioneer settler in Knox county, Ohio,
coming here about 1820, and locating in the
woods in Qay township, where he built a
log cabin. This was afterward replaced by
a better residence, and he cleared land and
improved a fine farm, on which he lived un-
til his death, which occurred when he was in
his seventy-sixth year. The old homestead
is still owned by Mrs. Pumphrey. He Avas
a devoted member of the Christian church,
and in politics was first a Whig and later a
Republican. His father, Timothy Ross, was
a native of Pennsylvania. Charity Mont-
gomery, who became the wife of Samuel
Ross, was born and reared in Maryland and
lived to the age of fifty-four years. She
bore her husband three sons and three
daughters, five of whom grew to manhood
and womanhood and of whom Mrs. Pumph-
rey, the eldest daughter, was the second in
order of birth.
Mrs. Pumphrey was reared in Clay town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, and though she
attended other schools in the township of
a later date she has a vivid recollection of
the old log school houses in which the prim-
itive subscription schools were taught. She
was married to Mr. Pumphrey September
24, 1849, s"d has a son, Ross Pumphrey,
a farmer in Clay township. He married
Emma Caldwell, and their children are
Leigh, Merton, Fay and Celia A. Mrs.
Pumphrey has three great-grandsons, Fran-
cis Burdette and Horace Pumphrey and an
infant. One of her sisters, Mrs. Nancy In-
gersoll, lives in Bates county, Missouri.
Airs. Pumphrey is the only representative of
the family in Knox county.
WILSON S. KERR.
One of the leading representatives of ag-
ricultural and commercial interests in
Frederickstown and Knox countv is Wilson
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
137
S. Kerr. "Through struggles to success" is
the epitome of his business record. He is
possessed of marked determination and un-
faltering purpose and has steadily advanced,
brooking no obstacles that could be over-
come by unfaltering industry and capable
management. He has spent his entire life
in this county, his birth occurring in Pleas-
ant township on the nth of May, 1839.
His father, Benjamin Kerr, who was a
farmer of Pleasant township, was born on
the west bank of the Scioto river in what is
now Franklin county, Ohio, April 14, 1800.
In 1803 he was brought by his parents to
Knox county, Ohio, a location being made
in Fredericktown, where he remained with
his parents until 1827, when he assisted in
the erection of a mill, now gone to decay,
known as the Kerr or Miller mill. In about
1826 he sank the first well in Gambier, on
the public square, for Bishop Chase. On
the 30th of October, 1827, Mr. Kerr mar-
ried Rosa Elliott, a daughter of William and
Elizabeth (Eaton) Elliott, who came to
Knox county in 1806. This union resulted
in the birth of seven children : Sarah A.,
John B., William E., Eliza J., Chambers,
Wilson S. and Rose E. After his marriage
Mr. Kerr settled on a homestead farm in
Pleasant township and remained there until
1838, when he sold the mill property and
bought a farm in the same township, and for
four score years milling and farming was his
principal vocation. He was truly a remark-
able man, upright and honest, and in all his
dealings he proved to the world he was in
all respects a true man.
In the district schools Mr. Kerr, of this
revie^v, pursued his education until twenty
years of age, and in the meantime had be-
come familiar with all departments of farm
work, being employed in the fields on his
father's farm through the periods of vaca-
tion. The occupation to' which he was
reared he has made his life work, and to-day
he is the owner of one hundred and eighty-
five acres of valuable land, which is rich and
arable and under a high state of cultivation.
He carries on general farming and in return
for his care and cultivation the well tilled
fields yield to him rich harvests. His meth-
ods are modem and progressive and every-
thing about his place indicates his careful
supervision. In addition to farming he is
interested in the business of the exportation
of hard wood lumber and logs, to which
much of his attention has been devoted for
twenty years. His trade has reached credit-
able proportions and thereby materially in-
creases his general income.
On the 27th of January, 1877, Mr. Kerr
was united in marriage tO' Miss Hattie Cog-
gins, a daughter of Jonathan and Louisa
(Marquind) Coggins, by whom he had
two children : Sarah, who married Royal
Bartlett, and Hattie, the wife of Elcer Sli-
ger. The mother died in 1882 and Mr.
Kerr was again married, his second union
being with Miss Hattie Hogle, a daughter
of Langdon and Amanda (Disney) Hogle.
Four children grace this union : Bunyan,
Helen, Hazel and Dewitt, all of whom are
still under the parental roof.
Many years ago Mr. Kerr became a
member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, being initiated into Mount Vernon
Lodge, but later he transferred his member-
ship to Fredericktown Lodge, with which
he is now connected. He exercises his right
of franchise in support of the men and meas-
ures of the Democracy, and in 1900 he was
elected trustee of Morris township, in which
138
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
capacity he is now serving. He is one of
the best-known men of his community and
enjoys the unqualified regard of his fellow
citizens. He is straightforward and reliable
in business, faithful in public office and
meets his fraternal obligations with con-
scientious earnestness. Industry is the foun-
dation upon which he has secured a success
which now classes him among the substantial
citizens of this portion of Knox county.
LURESTON WILLARD DENNIS.
L. W. Dennis is associated with both
the industrial and agricultural interests of
Berlin township, where he is now following
carpentering and farming. He was born
in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 12, 1862,
and is one of ten children born to William
H. and Lydia (Perkins) Dennis. His fa-
ther was a native of Maryland and when
young became a resident of Washington
county, Ohio, where he was reared and ed-
ucated. There he learned the millwright's
trade, which he followed through much of
his active life. At the age of eighteen years
he was married to Miss Perkins, who was
bom in Ohio. Both died in Guernsey coun-
ty, and of their children one died in in-
fancy, while nine reached mature years.
Abram Dennis, the father of William
was a native of New Jersey, and in 1865
came to Knox county, Ohio, where he died
in i8/'4, aged eighty-two years. His four
children were William H., Martha, Laura
and Philip H. Martha was never married,
and her death occurred when she was about
fifty years of age. She had been a teacher
for some years, ever taking a deep interest
in education, and much of her life was de-
voted to those she loved. Laura also has
never married, and although well advanced
in years she is still living with her nephew,
whose tender years were passed under her
personal direction. Philip is a retired citi-
zen of Maumee, Ohio, and his daughter
Ella is now and has been for nearly twenty
years our subject's housekeeper.
The parents of Lureston W. Dennis, of
this review, passed from life but a few
weeks apart, and soon after their death he
became a member of his grandfather's fam-
ily in Knox county, being then but a lad
of four years. When he was twelve years
of age his grandfather also died, and he
was then carefully trained by his two aunts,
but the future they planned for him was
somewhat changed by the death of the elder
aunt, who passed away about one year after
her father's death. She had decided that he
should have a thorough collegiate training,
an idea which was abandoned when she was
taken from the family. Inheriting a natural
tendency toward mechanics, Mr. Dennis
learned the carpenter's trade, an occupation
to which much of his energy has since been
devoted, though he also looks after the work
of the farm. Ever maintaining a full appre-
ciation for those whose love had done so
much for him, he resolved to assume the re-
sponsibilities of caring for them when age
had made him their natural protector.
In his social relations Mr. Dennis is a
member of Theall Lodge, No. 170, F. & A.
'M., at Fredericktown, also of Clinton Chap-
ter, R. A. M., and Clinton Commandery,
both of Mount Vernon, and of the Supreme
Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
in Cincinnati. He devotes considerable at-
tention to lodge work, and attends the state
and national conclaves of Knight Templars.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
139
PROFESSOR EDWARD CLOSE BEN-
SON, D. D., LL. D.
The name above is that of one who has
long been identified with education in Knox
county, Ohio, and who in his work year by
year has exempHfied all those abilities and
attainments which have made educators hon-
ored in all parts of our country. Professor
Edward C. Benson was born in Thorne,
Yorkshire, England, April 26, 1823, a son
of John Benson, a barrister, who was in
turn the son of a barrister. Soon after the
birth of the subject of this sketch, John Ben-
son moved to a country residence, and in
1832 he brought his family to the United
States, settling at Peoria, Illinois. He was
killed by the accidental discharge of a gun,
and his wife, nee Harriet Coupland, started
to return to England, but at New York sick-
ened and died and was buried in old Trinity
churchyard.
In 1840 Edward C. Benson entered
Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois. After
the completion oi his freshman course he
taught one term oi public school and then
went to the parish of West Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, where he became a private tutor
in the families of large planters. In 1846
he entered Kenyon College, at Gambier, in
accordance with plans long held, in which
institution he was duly graduated in 1849
with the degree of A. B. and as the valedic-
torian of his class. In 1850-51 he was Latin
tutor in his alma mater and during this time
began his theolo(]'icaI studies in Baxley Hall
and in 1853 was ordained a deacon Ijy
Bishop Mcllvaine. Rev. Dr. Alfred Blake
established Harcourt School ni 1851, in
connection with whom E. C. Benson labored
successfullv for sixteen vears. In 1867 he
was, without solicitation or knowledge on
his part, elected a member of the faculty of"
Kenyon College, at Gam.bier, in which he
has served as Professor of Latin and lan-
guage and literature. Filling this chair with
honor for thirty-one years, owing to ill-
health he resigned and was made professor
emeritus.
September 26, 1854, Professor Benson
was married to Miss Sarah White, daughter
of Mardenbro White, who came to Gam-
bier with Bishop Mcllvaine from Brooklyn,
New York, in 1832, and had charge of the
college store, and who in 1843 ^^'''s elected
agent and treasurer of the college, a position
he filled almost continuously until his death
in 1882.
Politically Mr. Benson has been a stanch
Republican since the organization of the Re-
publican party. His labors for the advance-
ment of the cause of education have been
unceasing and always efifectual, he ever be-
ing in the van in every movement intended
to promote mental, moral and spiritual
growth.
JOSEPH LEEDY.
Throughout his active business career
Joseph Leedy was prominently connected
with the agricultural interest of Berlin
township and as an honorable business man
and public-spirited citizen he was widely
known in Knox county, commanding uni-
form respect by his sterling worth.
Mr. Leedy was born in Pennsyl\-ania,
December 5, 1825, a son of Abram and Eliz-
abeth (Zook) Leedy, who with their family
emigrated westward to Ohio when our sub-
ject was but four years old. They located
140
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
on a farm on which Ankenytown has since
been built, and there the Httle son grew and
developed into manhood, pursuing liis edu-
cation in tlie district schools, while in the
summer months he gained practical experi-
ence in farming from work in the fields. He
was thus well prepared to carry on agricul-
tural pursuits on his own account when he
married and began life for himself. He be-
came the O'wner of a valuable property, the
well tilled fields annually returning to him
golden harvests. Upon the place were seen
substantial barns and outbuildings, good
grades of stock, the latest improved machin-
ery and well kept fences which divided the
place into fields of convenient size. Every-
thing about the place indicated the supervi-
sion of a progressive owner.
On the 5th of October, 1854, Mr. Leedy
married Miss Elizabeth Keiser, who was
bom in Richland county, Ohio, May 12,
1834, daughter of Jacob Keiser, who was a
native of the Keystone state and became one
of the early settlers of Richland county. He
wedded Elizabeth Worst and they became
the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs.
Leedy was the sixth in order of birth. Her
girlhood days were spent in the county of
her nativity and she was trained to the duties
of the household. At their marriage Mr.
and Mrs. Leedy took up their abode upon
the farm which is now the home of the
widow, and eleven children were there born
unto them : Nancy, the wife of Seth Con-
rad; George; Sylvester; Josephus ; Caleb;
Dennis; Sada, the wife of C. V. Humph-
rey; Cerelda, the wife of W. H. Cocanour;
Lenora, the wife of John Fry ; William ; and
Cora May, the wife of V. A. Merrin. All
are married and the family circle yet re-
mains unbroken as far as the children are
concerned, but the husband and father was
called away, leaving behind him a large cir-
cle of sorrowing friends as well as his im-
mediate family, among whom his place can
never be filled.
Mr. Leedy was very reliable in all busi-
ness transactions, and his honesty, as well
as his industry and perseverance, was a
salient feature in his career. His success as
a farmer enabled him to leave his family in
comfortable financial circumstances. In his
political views he was a Democrat, but never
aspired to office. He held membership in
the Progressive Brethren church and his
wife also belongs there. She is still living
upon the home farm, which comprises three
hundred acres of the rich land of Knox
county. The family is one of prominence
in the community and well deserves mention
among the representative citizens of this
portion of Ohio.
CAPTAIN HENRY CLAY HARRIS.
The well known farmer of Miller town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, whose name is
above has an enviable record as a soldier
and as a judicial officer, and his standing as
a citizen is deservedly high. Therefore
some account of his creditable career is ab-
solutely necessary to the completeness of
this work.
Henry Clay Harris, son of Emor and
Sarah (Sweet) Harris, was born in the house
in which he now lives, one of the oldest brick
residences in the county, September 29,
1832, and it may be said that he practically
has had no business except farming during
all his active years. His father, Emor Har-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
t4i
ris, was born in Rhode Island, in 1792, and
early connected himself with the minute men
of his day and locality, who were ever ready
to act instantly in defense of our then young
nation. The fact that there is nO' record
that he was ever called into active service
does not dim the luster of his patriotic inten-
tions. He emigrated to Ohio in 18 16 and
located on land now owned by H. Grant
Harris, which he secured as military land.
He was a man of influence in the com-
munity. He married, in 1813 Miss Sarah
Sweet, who bore him eight children : Caro-
line born in Rhode Island; and Emor B. ;
Sarah, May, Bessie, Lydia, Emily and Henry
Clay, born in Ohio.. Of this family of chil-
dren only Emor B., of Red Oak, Iowa, Car-
oline of Galena, Delaware county, Ohio, and
Henry Clay are living. Sarah (Sweet)
Harris was a daughter of Philip and An-
fillis (Brown) Sweet, natives of Rhode Is-
land, and her father was a soldier in the
war for independence.
The subject of this sketch is a charter
member of Syramore Valley Lodge, No.
553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and, having passed all its chairs, is one of its
honored past noble grands. He has been
once elected treasurer of Miller township
and has by successive re-election filled the
office of justice of the peace for four suc-
cessive terms. His military career began
early in 1864, when he recruited a company
for the United States' service in Pleasant
and Miller townships, which became Com-
pany C, One Hundred and Forty-second
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry and of
which he was elected captain at its organia-
tion, May 13, 1864. The organization was
mustered into the service at Camp Chase,
Columbus, and at once left for Fort Lvon
and was under fire almost daily in Grant's
line advancing on Richmond until it was
mustered out at Camp Chase in September,
1864. He is a member of Fry Post, No.
706.
When twenty- four years of age Captain
Harris married Miss Dorcas Gates, who has
borne him four children: Mary W., Cyrus
G., Carrie A. and Grant. Mary W. mar-
ried A. E. Lockwood and died in 1891.
Carrie A. died in 1893, tinmarried. Cyrus
G. is a teacher of Brandon. Grant Harris
was born April 21, 1867, and was married
December 7, 1892, to Miss Ella Barker, a
daughter of George W. and Rachal
(Moody) Barker, of Brandon. Five years
ago he bought his father's old homestead,
which was secured by his grandfather in
18 16. It comprises sixty-seven acres and
devoted to general farming. Is a Repub-
lican in his political views. On his twenty-
first birthday he was made an Odd Fellow,
and has passed the chairs of Sycamore
Lodge, and Lyman lodge of Rebeccas was
organized under his jurisdiction as Noble
Grand.
LYMAN W. ARMENTROUT, M. D.
Dr. Lyman Wright Armentrout, who is
successfully engaged in the practice of medi-
cine in Mount Vernon, where he located in
1887, was born in Pike township, Knox
county, September 14, 1844, and traces his
ancestry back to Germany, where occurred
the birth of Henry Armentrout, his great-
grandfather. Leaving Germany he crossed
the Atlantic to the new world and took up
his abode in Virginia. When the Revolu-
tionary war was inaugurated he espoused
142
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the cause of the colonies and fought for the
freedom of the American people. Philip
Armentrout, the grandfather of the Doctor,
was born in the Old Dominion and after ar-
riving at years of maturity wedded Mary
Fluke, also a native of that state and of
Holland lineage. Emigrating westward
they settled upon a farm in Pike township,
Knox coimty, Ohio, where the wife died at
the age of fifty years, while Philip Armen-
trout passed away in 1859, at the advanced
age of eighty-five. Among their children
was Simon Armentrout. the Doctor's father.
He was born in Rockingham county, Vir-
ginia, in 1810, and was brought to this
county by his parents when only seven years
of age. Amid the wild scenes of frontier
life he was reared and upon the home farm
he early became familiar with all the duties
incident to the life of the agriculturist. He
married Rachel Phillips, . whose paternal
grandfather was a native of England and
sailed thence to the United States, taking
up his abode in Maryland. He married a
Miss Frizzel and among their children was
William Phillips, the father of Mrs. Ar-
mentrout. He was about eleven years of
age when with his parents he removed from
Maryland to Cadiz, Ohio. He was married
in Knox county to Miss Polly Walker, who
also came from Alaryland.
Unto the Doctor's parents were born the
following children ; William, a resident of
Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio; George
W., a resident farmer of Shelbyville, Mis-
souri; Simon, who resides near Valparaiso,
Indiana; Olive, wife of Cyrus Hunter, of
Pike township, Knox county; Samantha,
the wife of George Mahaflfy, formerly of
Knox county, but now of Shelbyville, Mis-
souri; and Lucinda, the wife of John Mc-
Ginley, who was at one time a resident of
Knox county but is now living near Val-
paraiso, Indiana.
Dr. Armentrout, the other member of
this family, was reared upon his father's
farm in the usual manner of farmer lads of
the period, his time being devoted to the
work of the fields, to the duties of the school
room and the pleasures of the playground.
After leaving the common schools he deter-
mined to make the practice of medicine his
life work and continued his education in the
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, for
a time, completing his professional prepara-
tion in the Detroit Medical College, in
which he was graduated in 1871. He then
located for practice in Belleville, Richland
county, Ohio, where he remained until 1882,
when he took up his abode upon a farm in
this county, remaining there until 1887,
when he removed to Mount Vernon. Since
his graduation he has given his attention
entirely to his professional duties with the
result that he is well qualified for his work
and receives a large and lucrative patronage.
The Doctor married Miss Maria Tulloss,
a daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Tulloss,
of Morgan township, who has devoted much
of his life to the work of the ministry as a
preacher of the Baptist church. He was
born in this county. Dr. and Mrs. Armen-
trout now have two children, L. Vance and
Lina. The son is a graduate of the high
school of Mount Vernon and spent two years
in the Ohio State University. In 1898 he
enlisted for service in the Spanish-American
war in Company L, Fourth Ohio Regiment,
which company was formed in Alount Ver-
non, and saw service in Porto Rico, He is
now reading law in the office of Judge Wait,
of ]Mount \^ernon.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
143
In his political views the Doctor is a
Democrat, but has never aspired to public
office. Socially he is connected with the In-
dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the
Masonic fraternity, and his religious faith is
indicated by his membership in the Baptist
church. Not only in Mount Vernon but in
the adjoining country the Doctor is known
as a skillful physician and surgeon, one who
has given years of thought and painstaking
preparation to his profession and who is
thoroughly qualified for his practice. Na-
ture endowed himi with the qualities neces-
sary for success as a practitioner, for he is
sympathetic, patient and thoughtful, and in
the hour of extremity cool and courageous.
Though his practice engrosses much of his
attention he still finds time to keep posted
upon the practical details in the improve-
ments of the science and avail himself o-f
every development in remedial agencies, thus
maintaining his place among the leading
physicians and surgeons of his native
county.
JAMES McGINLEY
Throughout his entire life James McGin-
ley has resided in Knox county, and his
career has been honorable and straightfor-
ward, a fact which is indicated by the friend-
ship which is accorded him by those who
have known hlim from eajriy youth. He
lives on section 19, Pike township, and it
was upon this farm that he was born Jan-
uary 16, i846.. His father, Robert McGin-
ley, was a native of Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, born in 1804. The ancestry
is traced back to the Emerald Isle for the
great-grandfather of our subject, RobertMc-
Ginley, was a native of that land and after
crossing the broad Atlantic and residing
for some time in the east, he became one of
the pioneer settlers of Knox county. His
son, Samuel McGinley, the grandfather of
our subject, spent his entire life in Pennsyl-
vania. When a young man Robert McGin-
ley came to this county and was here mar-
ried in 1827 to Eve Lindsey. Her mother
bore the maiden name of Reed and her father
was a colonel under General Washington in
the Revolutionary War. He was a most
valiant officer, and on the 8th of October,
1901, in commemoration of his able services,
a monument was unveiled to him at Morris-
town, Pennsylvania. Mrs. McGinley was a
native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania,
and was brought by her parents to this coun-
ty when only six years of age. Her birth
occurred in 1806. The parents of our sub-
ject located upon the farm where James Mc-
Ginley now resides, the tract of land having
been entered from the government by Rob-
ert Strain. There the father engaged in
farming throughout his remaining days.
His death occurred in 1867, while his wife,
who long survived him, passed away at the
age of eighty-six years. She was a daugh-
ter of Jacob Lindsey, a native of the Key-
stone state, who on casting his lot with the
early settlers of Knox county established his
home in Pike township, where Mrs. McGin-
ley was reared. By her marriage she be-
came the mother of ten children, three
daughters and seven sons, of whom all but
one reached mature years. One son died at
the age of fourteen years.
In taking up the pt^rsonal history of
James McGinley we present to our readers
the life record of one who is widely and
favorably known in Knox county. He was
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the youngest of ten children in his parents'
family, and was reared upon the farm where
he still resides. In the midst of his farm
duties he was allowed time in which to at-
tend the district schools, and thus he became
familiar with the work of the fields and with
the English branches of learning, which
fitted him to cope with the practical and re-
sponsible duties of life. After his marriage
he brought his bride to the old homestead,
where he has since engaged in general farm-
ing. Here he owns ninety-four acres of
good land, and in connection with the culti-
vation of cereals best adapted to> this climate
he is extensively and successfully engaged in
the breeding and raising of draft horses.
On the 27th of December, 1867, Mr. Mc-
Ginley wedded Elizabeth Braddock, a daugh-
ter of Joshua and Margaret (Durbin) Brad-
dock, who were early settlers in Knox coun-
ty, and who' has had a family of seven chil-
dren, Mrs. McGinley being the fourth in
order of birth. She was born in Morris
township, October 30, 1846, and by her mar-
riage she has become the mother of four
children, namely: Kit Estella, of Freder-
icktown; Walter, who is engaged in
the provision business in Fredericktown ;
Pearl, who is the wife of Howard
Huntsberger, a teacher of the same place,
and Rollin B., who is teaching in the home
district school. Mr. McGinley and his fam-
ily occupy a prominent position in social
circles and he has been honored with public
oiificcs, serving both as trustee of the town-
ship and as justice of the peace, occupying
the latter position for nine years. He was
also nominee at one time for sheriff on the
Democrat ticket. Socially he is identified
with Barthollow Lodge, No. 692, I. O. O.
F., which he joined on its organization and
in which he has filled all the offices, taking
an active part in its work and exemplify-
ing in his life its helpful and beneficent prin-
ciples. He also is identified with North
Liberty Tent, No. 256, K. O. T. M. In pub-
lic and private life his many estimable char-
acteristics have gained for him the confi-
dence, regard and friendship of his fellow
men, and as one of. the leading and influen-
tial citizens of Pike township he well de-
serves mention in the history of his native
count}'.
SAMUEL T. VANNATTA. '
Samuel T. Vannatta^ who is extensively
engaged in the garden seed business, was
born in New Jersey in 1835. His maternal
grandfather came to this state from War-
ren coimty, New Jersey, where he became
a wealthy and influential citizen, and his
death occurred in Miller township, Knox
county, in 1863, at the age of eighty-nine
years. His father was a Revolutionary
hero. Peter Vannatta, the father of our
subject, wasi born in Warren county, New
Jersey, and his death occurred in 1836. One
of his brothers, Aaron Vannatta, left home
and was never, heard from afterward, and
his sister, Mrs. Philip Case, is a resident of
New Jersey. Her husband is the oldest
commission merchant in New York city, be-
ing now eighty-two years of age, but he
still attends to his business interests. The
mother of our subject was called to her final
rest in 1882, having reached the seventy-
third milestone on the journey of life. She
was an active worker in the Christian church
and was loved and honored for her many
noble characteristics.
o/'^t^^^Z^.
<:a-<j<>->^ ^^^/A^i^
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
145
Samuel T. Vannatta, the immediate
subject of this review, came with his mother
to this localit}' in 1841, locating- on a farm
in Miller township, and the educational ad-
vantages which he enjoyed in his youth,
were those afforded by the common schools
of the neighborhood. After laying aside
his text-books preparatory to embarking on
an active business career he engaged in
farming on land belonging to his grand-
father, Philip Weller, and after remaining
there for a time he removed to the farm pur-
chased by himself and mother. In 1895 he
abandoned the tilling of the soil and removed
to South Vernon, Clinton township. In
1888 he was elected one of the county com-
missioners, having been re-elected tO' that
position in .1892, and during both terms he
served as president of the board. While fill-
ing that responsible position he was instru-
mental in securing the erection of the via-
duct at the foot of Main street, and
many other needed improvements were
added during his incumbency. For nine
years he served as trustee of Miller
township and for one term was land
appraiser and for two terms appraiser
of personal property. Although he does
not engage actively in farm labor, Mr.
Vannatta is a large land owner, having five
hundred acres in Miller township, which is
improved) with excellent buildings and is
under a fine state of cultivation, and also
has a farm in Monroe township. In addi-
tion to this valuable property he owns resi-
dence property in South Vernon, Dayton
and Findlay.
The year 1862 witnessed the marriage
of Mr. Vannatta and Miss Lovina Hawkins,
of Mount Liberty, the eldest daughter of
Isaac Hawkins, a prominent stock dealer
and wealthy farmer of Knox county. He
came to this locality fromi Rockingham
county, Virginia, in a very early day, and
he has now reached the ripe old age of
eighty years. His wife was a Miss Hudles-
ton before her marriage, and was also from
Rockingham county, Virginia. Three chil-
dren have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs.
Vannatta. The eldest, F. A. Vannatta, is a
successful farmer of Miller township. He
married Miss Belle West, a daughter of Jay
West, also of Miller township, and they
have three children — Blanche, Samuel and
Charles. The second son, C. O. Vannatta,
resides on the old home in Miller township.
He married Miss Maud Sperry, a daughter
of Newton Sperry, of Miller township, and
they also have three children — Olive, Enos
and Anna. The only daughter of the fam-
ily, Emeline., is nowi the wife of Calvin
Forey, of Pleasant township, Knox county,
and they have one child, Isabelle. In his
social relations Mr. Vannatta is a member
of the Masonic fraternity, and politically he
casts his ballot in favor of the men and
measures of the Republican party.
LEVI GRUBB.
Levi Grubb was born in Pike township
April 14, 1843, and died on the 14th of
July, 1 90 1. He always resided in Knox
county and his many excellencies of char-
acter won for him the trust and respect of
his fellow men. He was reared in the place
of his nativity and during his youth became
familiar with farm work in its various de-
partments. The public schools afiforded
him his educational privileges and when
146
A CENTENNIAL EIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
young he also learned the carpenter's trade,
his knowledge of this business proving a
value to him as he carried on his work in
later life, enabling him to keep everything
about his place in excellent repair. In his
farming he was progressive, practical and
enterprising, and yearly his labors brought
to him a good income.
February i, 1871, Mr. Grubb was united
in marriage to Miss Hannah Cole, a native
of Knox county, born June i, 1854. Her
father, Isaac Cole, was a native of Connecti-
cut and when a young man came tO' Ohio,
where he met and married Mrs. Rachel
Brown, who was also reared in Knox coun-
ty, her people being early settlers here. Mrs,
Grubb spent her girlhood days in Berlin
township and there obtained her education.
She was only seventeen years of age when
she gave her hand in marriage " to him
whose name introduces this review. They
became the parents of three children : Nettie,
the wife O'f Wilson Yanger, a business man
of Bellville, Ohio, and they have one child,
Paul ; Bertie, the wife of John Spohn, a
resident farmer of Berlin township, and op-
erating the home farm; and Clarence, who
is living with his mother. She is the owner
of one hundred and twenty-seven acres of
good land, and to its improvement she gives
her attention, supervising the work which
annually results in good harvests. She is a
most estimable lady and her circle of friends
is almost co-extensive with her circle of ac-
quaintances. Mr. Grubb was a prominent
and influential citizen. In his business meth-
ods he was straightforward and honorable.
He belonged to the Grange, gave his po-
litical support to the Democracy, and was a
member of the German Baptist church.
One ef his marked characteristics was his
fidelity to principle, and in all life's relations
he commanded the warm regard and con-
fidence of his fellow men.
BENJAMIN L. GRIFFITH.
A valuable farm of one hundred and
sixty acres in Pike township is the property
of Benjamin L. Griffith, one of the worthy
citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to
the Buckeye state. He was born in Ches-
ter county, October 19, 1839, alnd is of
Welch lineage. His parental grandfather
was Abel Griffith and the father of our
subject was Morris Griffith, the latter also
a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania,
and by occupation a carpenter. In 1855 he
came with his family to Ohio, locating in
Wayne county, but after a year's residence
removed to Pike township, Knox county,
settling upon the farm which is now the
home of our subject and which he made his
place of residence until his death. He had
passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's
journey when called to his final rest. In
politics he was a stanch Republican, and his
religious faith was indicated by his member-
ship in the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Elizabeth Sparr, was born in Chester coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and there remained until
with her husband she came to Ohio, where
she died in her eighty-seventh year. She
was a daughter of Frederick Sparr, who
was of German lineage. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Griffith were born three sons, of whom
our subject is the eldest, the second, Nathan,
is now deceased, while ^^'illiam M. resides
four miles south of Mansfield, Ohio.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
147
Benjamin L. Griffith is now the only liv-
ing representative of the family in Knox
county. He was about sixteen years of age
when his parents came tO' this locality. He
had previously attended school in Pennsyl-
vania and in Wayne county, Ohio, and here
he continued his education in the schools of
Pike township. Upon the home farm he be-
came familiar with all the work of an agri-
culturist and remained with his parents until
twenty-two years of age, but in the fall of
1864 he left home, going to Whiteside coun-
ty, Illinois, where he remained from the ist
of September of that year until September,
1S65. Through the eleven succeeding years
he resided in Knox county, and in 1866
again went to the Prairie state, where he
worked at the carpenter's trade; later he re-
moved to Iowa, s'pending about three years
in Tama and Benton counties, where he fol-
lowed farming and threshing, and was also
identified wath the building interests of those
localities. On the expiration of that period
he returned to Ohio and located on the farm
where he now lives, but his residence here
has not been continuous, for once more he
returned to Whiteside county, Illinois, where
he spent five years. Since 1875, however,
he has devoted his time and energies to the
improvement of the old farm homestead and
now has a valuable tract of land comprising
a quarter section. He follows general farm-
ing and stock raising and his place is an in-
dication that his efforts are meeting with
prosperity.
On the 7th of February, 1867, Mr. Grif-
fith Avedded Rachel Hiner, who was born in
Ashland county, Ohio, February 17, 1844,
and is a daughter of Leonard and Mary
(Spahr) Hiner, who were natives of Penn-
sylvania, the former born in Lancaster coun-
ty and the latter in Chester county. They
were married in the Keystone state, and af-
terward removed to Wayne county, Ohio,
subsequently to Ashland county. In their
family were five daughters and two sons,
Mrs. Griffith being the fifth child and the
fourth daughter. She was reared in Mer-
cer county, Pennsylvania, until four years
of age, after which she spent seven years in
Whiteside county, Illinois, and then went to
Benton county, Iowa, where she gave .her
hand in marriage to our subject. They
have two sons, William M., who wedded
Grace Banks, by whom he has a daughter,
Annie I., and Calvin Jay who married Villa
O'Brien. They also have a daughter, Flor-
ence L.
On questions of national importance Mr.
Griffith is a stalwart Republican, but at local
elections he considers only the capability of
the candidate and feels himself not bound
by party ties. He is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, in which he is serv-
ing as class-leader. He takes an active part
and contributes liberally to its support and
does all in his power for the promotion of
the cause. There is much in his career that
is commendable, including loyalty in citi-
enship, truthworthiness in business and hon-
or in all the relations of private life.
MAJOR NATHANIEL CRITCHFIELD.
Major Nathaniel Critchfield, one of the
prominent early settlers of Knox county, an
ex-soldier of the Civil war and at all times
a loyal citizen, is numbered among the lead-
ing farmers of his locality. He is a native
son of Howard township, his birth having
here occurred on the 25th of February, 1834,
148
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
and he is of German descent. His paternal
grandfather, Nathaniel Critchfield, was a na-
tive of the state of Maryland, but in a very
early day he came to Knox county, Ohio,
entering eight hundred acres of land in
Howard township, where he spent the re-
mainder of his life, passing away in death at
a ripe old age. He became a very prominent
man in his locality, and for many years he
held the office of justice of the peace. The
father of our subject, Benjamin Critchfield,
was also a native of Maryland, but when on-
ly seven years of age he was brought by his
parents to the Buckeye state. After his mar-
riage he located on a farm in Howard town-
ship, where he followed farming and black-
smithing for many years. His life's labors
were ended in death when he had reached
the age of eighty-four years. In early life
he gave his political support to the Democ-
racy, but after the organization of the Re-
publican party he joined its ranks, voting for
Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Critchfield was married in Howard
township, Knox county, to Mary Welker,
who also claimed Maryland as the state of
her nativity, as did her father, . Abraham
Welker, and the family was of German de-
scent. Unto this worthy couple were: born
nine children, but only two of the number
grew to mature years. The mother was
called to her final rest when she had reached
the age of eighty-two years.
Nathaniel Critchfield, whose name intro-
duces this review, was reared to manhood on
his father's farm in this locality, and the ear-
ly educational advantages which he enjoyed
were those afforded by the primitive schools
of the neighborhood, which he was only per-
mitted to attend during a few months of the
year. Later, however, he attended a select
school in Mount Vernon, which was taught
by R. R. Sloan. In 1856, when a young
man, he undertook the long and tedious jour-
ney across the plains, but after reaching
Iowa the company of wdiich he was a mem-
ber disbanded, and he then returned to his
old home in Knox county. The year fol-
lowing his marriage the Civil war was in-
augurated, and on the 17th of October, 1861,
Mr. Critchfield became a member of Com-
pany A, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, entering the ranks as a private, but
he soon received his commission as principal
musician of his regiment, serving in that
capacity for seventeen months. He partici-
pated in the battle of Stone River, which
continued for eight days, was in the battle
of Shiloh and also' took part in many of the
other important engagements of the war. On
three occasions he was slightly wounded,
but never seriously, and after the close of
hostilities, with an honorable military career,
he returned to his home to again take up the
duties of civil life. He has ever since de-
voted his attention to general farming. He
follows advanced and progressive methods
of agriculture, and his place is neat and
thrifty in appearance, owing to his diligent
labors and careful supervision.
In October, i860, occurred the marriage
of Mr. Critchfield and Miss Ellen E. Cassil,
who was born in Howard township, October
14, 1836, a daughter of John and Matilda
(Critchfield) Cassil. The father came from
Washington county, Pennsylvania, to the
Buckeye state in a very early day, locating
in Howard township, Knox county, and
here his remaining days were passed, dy-
ing at the age of sixty-five years. The
mother was a native daughter of Knox coun-
ty, and she reached the ripe old age of eigh-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ty-four years. She was an earnest Christian
woman, and was a worthy and valued mem-
ber of the Christian church, in which Mr.
Critchfield also holds membership. Mr. and
]\Irs. Cassil became the parents of three chil-
dren, two daughters and a son, as follows:
Mrs. Critchfield; James R., deceased; and
Nancy J., who has also passed to her final
rest. The union of our subject and wife
was blessed with two children, but both have
now passed away, — Johanna B., whO' died
in her twenty-sixth year, and one who died
in infancy. Mr. Critchfield is a member of
LeRoy Baker Post, No. 150, G. A. R., of
Danville, in which he has held many of the
offices, and for thirty-five years he has also
been a member of the Masonic order, his
membership being with the lodge at Dan-
ville.
JOHN C. DURBIN.
Many years have passed since John C.
Durbin became a resident of Knox county
and he has therefore witnessed much of its
development and progress as it emerged
from a frontier settlement to a co^mty rank-
ing with the best in this great common-
wealth. He feels just pride in what has
been accomplished and in the work of im-
provement he has borne his part as a loyal
and progressive citizen.
Mr. Durbin was born in Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1839, and
is the fifth son of ten children born to John
A. and Margaret (Logston) Durbin. He
was only five years of age when the parents
came with their children to Knox county
and there amid the wild scenes of pioneer
life was reared. He lived in Howard town-
ship and attended the district schools of the
neighborhood, and in the summer months
worked in the fields planting, plowing and
harvesting. Here he resided until his mar-
riage, which occurred on the 20th of Oc-
tober, 1863, the lady of his choice being
Miss Margaret Colopy, a native of Coshoc-
ton county, Ohio, born August 22, 1838,
her parents being Thomas and Margaret
(Bowman) Colopy. They were natives of
Ireland, were married in the Emerald Isle
and one child was born to them ere their
emigration to America. Mrs. Durbin is
their fourth daughter and seventh child.
She was reared in Linton township, Cochoc-
ton county, the days of her girlhood being
passed as that of most of the girls of that
period. She attended the public schools and
became familiar with the different depart-
ments of housework under the direction of
her mother.
At the time of their marriage, Mr. and
Mrs. Durbin began their domestic life in
Howard township, Knox county, and upon
their first farm remained for six years, after
which they spent thirteen years upon an-
other farm in the same township. They
next removed, in March, 1883, to the farm
which has since been their home. Here Mr.
Durbin owns and operates ninety-seven acres
of land, all of which is under cultivation.
There are good buildings, including a new
and commodious barn, upon the place, and
the farm is divided intO' fields of various
sizes by well kept fences. His is one of the
most attractive homes in the county. The
cultivation bestowed upon his land results in
securing for him rich harvests and annually
his income increases.
50
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Durbin have been
born eight children : Thomas B., who mar-
ried Mary Jane Durbin, a daughter of Ben-
jamin Durbin; Francis J., who wedded
Agatha Swingle, a daughter of Christ
Swingle; Mary C, the wife of Clement E.
Durbin; Elizabeth B., the wife of Joseph
Grassbaugh ; Peter, Ludjer, Raymond and
Sylvester, all of whom are still with their
parents. The family circle is yet unbroken
by the hand of death and the youngest child
is now twenty-one years of age. All have
been well educated and three of the numl^er
have been successful school teachers, while
one of the sons is engaged in the grocery
business in Mount Vernon. The family are
all communicants of St. Luke's Catholic
church at Danville and Mr. Durbin took an
active part in erecting the new house of
worship there. He has usually given his po-
litical support to the Democracy but has
never sought or desired political offices, be-
lieving that it would interfere with his busi-
ness whereby he is winning a comfortable
competence.
OTIS SEARL.
The subject of this memoir was one to
whorn the words of the poet are particularly
applicable : "A frrend to truth, of soul sin-
cere ; in action thoughtful and in honor clear,
who broke no promise, served no private
end; who gained no title and who lost no
friend." He was ennobled by himself and
the approval of his own conscience, and in
his death, on the 12th of February, 1901,
Knox county lost one of its honored pioneer
citizens and one whose life has been one of
signal usefulness and honest worth. He
came to the county in an early day and lo-
cated on the farm, where his death occurred,
having made that place his home for more
than half a century, and having ever com-
manded the unequivocal confidence and es-
teem of the community. It is signally con-
sistent that a memorial tribute to him be in-
corporated in this publication.
Mr. Searl was born in the town of Low-
ville, Levi-is county, New York, on the 28th
of March, 1819, and was reared on a farm
in that immediate locality. In the common
schools of his native county he secured that
preliminary training which so effectively
served as the basis of that broad fund of
knowledge which he later gained by person-
al application extensive and judicious read-
ing and by long association with the prac-
tical affairs of life. He was a man of dis-
tinct individuality and marked intellectual
strength, and these attributes naturally gave
him an influential position in the commun-
ity. In the year 1849 M*"- Searl came to
Ohio and located in Wayne township, Knox
county, on the farm which thereafter con-
tinued to be his abiding place until death
placed its seal upon his mortal lips. He
first purchased a tract of fifty acres, and he
later added to the same until he at one time
owned an estate of nearly two hundred acres.
Upon the homestead he made improvements
of admirable order, including the fine resi-
dence where his widow still resides, making
the farm one of the best in this section of
the state. He developed the farm from
what was practically a sylvan wild, and here
gave his attention to general agricul-
ture, stock-raising and dairying", having
had a well-equipped cheese dairy, in
which he continued to manufacture the
highest grade of products for more than
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
a quarter of a century. He was a
man of initiative power, and thus ever
took advantage of new and improved ap-
pliances and methods in the conducting- of
his business enterprises, thus conserving a
success above the average. His homestead,
which now comprises eighty acres, may well
be pointed out as a model farm, and it will
ever remain a memorial to his ability and
progressive methods.
In his political adherency Mr. Searl was
stanchly arrayed in suppo-rt of the principles
and policies of the Republican party, his con-
victions in this line being well fortified, as
were they on all other matters of import,
and his eligibility for public office was thor-
oughly appreciated in the community, as is
evident from the fact that he was called
upon to serve as township trustee and in
other local offices of trust and responsibility.
He passed away in the fulness of years and
well earned honors, and his memory will be
held in lasting veneration by those who came
within the sphere of his influence. His com-
plete conversion to the Christian faith was
an incident of the last year of his life, in
January, 1900. He also became a great
reader of the Bible, and thus continued until
his eyesight failed, after which his wife con-
tinued to read to him from the blessed book.
He would often repeat the Lord's prayer.
On account of feeble health be never became
a member of a church, and his last days were
peacefully passed and were brightened by
his deep trust in his divine Master.
Mr. Searl was twice married. On the
6th of June, 1849, Miss Pamelia Livingston
became his wife and she passed away on the
1 8th of October, 1891, there having been no
children of this union. On the 8th of Feb-
ruary, 1893. was solemnized his marriage to
Miss Lena Howard, who was born in Mor-
row county, Ohio, the daughter of Henry
and Ann Howard, both of whom now make
their home with Mrs. Searl, each being eigh-
ty-two years of age at the time of this writ-
ing (March, 1902). Mrs. Searl resides on
the beautiful homestead farm, taking a
prominent part in the social life of the com-
munity and being held, in the highest esteem
bv a large circle of devoted friends.
JACOB B. MYERS.
Among the worthy citizens that Penn-
sylvania has furnished to Ohio is Jacob Ben-
jamin Myers, who for many years has car-
ried on general farming in Knox county,
but is now living retired in Mount Vernon,
enjoying a well merited rest. He was born
in Bedford county, of the Keystone state,
July 24, 1828, a son of Jesse and Eleanor
(Louderbaugh) Myers. The family is of
German lineage and was founded in Amer-
ica by the grandfather of our subject, who
sailed from Germany and took up his abode
in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, when that
region was just being opened up to civiliza-
tion. There he spent his remaining days,
but his wife afterward died in Knox county,
Ohio.
Jesse Myers, the father of our subject,
was born in Bedford county, and after ar-
riving at years of maturity he wedded Elean-
or Louderbaugh, also a native of the same
county. In 1837, accompanied by their fam-
ily, they started westward and took up their
abode in Clinton township, Knox county,
but afterward removed to Pleasant town-
ship, where they remained until called to the
152
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
home beyond. The father passed away in
1869, but the mother long survived him and
died in 1897. Mr. Myers was a farmer and
also engaged in digging wells. He dug
many of the early wells of Alount Vernon
and was an active factor in reclaiming the
wild land for purposes of civilization, carry-
ing on his farming operations quite exten-
sively. His industry, his honorable business
methods and his capable management made
him one of the leading agriculturists of the
community and he became widely and favor-
ably known. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Myers
were born seven children : Mary Ann, the
deceased wife of Lloyd McDonald; Eliza-
beth Ann, the wife of Harvey Branyan;
Catharine ; Jacob, the subject of this review ;
John, who was the treasurer and county
recorder of Knox county, and was for many
years very prominent in public affairs ; Eliza,
who resides in Mount Vernon; and Jesse
F., who is foreman in the paint shops of the
Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, in
Mount Vernon.
In the public schools near his home Jacob
Benjamin Myers, whose name begins this
record, pursued his education, and upon the
home farm he was trained to the work of the
fields. Like most young men when starting
out upon an independent career he desired a
companion and helpmate for the journey of
life and chose J\Iiss Martha Ann Young, the
wedding being celebrated on the 29th of No-
vember, 1855. The lady was a daughter of
Reese and EJiza (Gates) Young, and died
May 14, 1885. For his second wife Mr.
Myers married Margaret, the daughter of
Reuben and Sarah (Good) Dutt. She was
born April 19, 1850, and was married No-
vember 18, 1884. Her father was a native
of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and
her mother was born in New Jersey. In
1870 they removed to Marshallville, ^^'ayne
county, Ohio> and later went to Medina
county, this state, where the mother died
June 15, 1876. Subsequently the father be-
came a resident of Gibson, Kansas, where
his life's labors were ended on the i8th of
April, 1882. They were the parents of nine
children : Eliza, deceased ; Cortland B.,
who lives in Akron, Ohio; Anna, the widow
of Oscar Carr and a resident of Akron ;
Sarah, who is the widow of Jacob Hess and
makes j-icr home in Cleveland; Margaret,
now Mrs. Myers; George, deceased, late of
Mount Vernon; Nathan, who is a resident
of Kansas; Reuben, who makes his home
in Akron: and Mary, the wife of George
Drisback, of Bangor, Pennsylvania. The
father of this family was a blacksmith and
carriage-maker and his life was one of in-
dustry and honest toil. For ten years he
was postmaster at jlia,s old Pennsylvania'
home. His son, Cortland, was a soldier in
the Civil war, and during his service was
taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville,
where he was incarcerated for eighteen
months.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members
of the First Methodist Episcopal church in
Mount Vernon. Politically Mr. Myers is a
life-long Democrat, and has served many
years in important public capacities.
Throughout the years of his active business
career he was connected with agricultural in-
terests in Knox county. He was only about
ten years of age when brought by his par-
ents to Ohio, and during his youth he shared
with the family in many of the hardships in-
cident to life on the frontier. He has done
much to^vard clearing and developing his
portion of the county and lived in his present
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
neighborhood wiien there was nothing but a
great wilderness aU aronnd him, there being
but two other liouses on the Gambier road
between him and tlie city, which then con-
sisted of one store. In addition to tlie home
he also owns what is known as the old In-
dian field, adjoining the city, npoii which
for many years the tribe maintained an In-
dian village. As the years have passed he
has aided in pushing forward the wheels of
progress and his labors have been very bene-
ficial m developing this portion of the state.
He has taken just pride in what has been
accomplished in the county and well does he
deserve to be numbered among its leading
and influential citizens.
ROBERT A. KXOX.
Among the most competent and success-
ful educators of central Ohio is Robert A.
Kno.x, who for a number of years has been
an active representative of the schools of
Fredericktown. He was born in Holmes
connty, Ohio, December lo, 1856, and is a
son of Christian and Elizabeth (Jarvis)
Kno.x. On the paternal side he is of Scotch
and Spanish descent. His grandparents.
John and IMary ( Bitner) Knox, were both
natives of Center, county, Pennsylvania,
whence they removed to Holmes county,
Ohio, at an early day. the former bringing
with him seventy-five dollars with which he
purchased eighty acres of land. Locating
thereon he devoted his remaining days to its
cultivation, making additional purchases un-
til he was the owner of eight hundred acres
of land, he and his wife winning for them-
selves a place among the representative pio-
neers of the comnnuiitv. Their son. Chris-
tian Knox, was born in Holmes county, in
February, 1829, and there grew to man-
hood, assisting in the cultivation of the fields
from a youthful age. In 1853 he was mar-
ried io Miss Elizabeth Jarvis, a daughter of
John Jarvis and a granddaughter of John
Jarvis. The latter was of English descent
and fought for the cause of liberty in the
Revolutionary war, while the former de-
fended his country's rights in the War
of 1812. He was a native of Virginia and
was a farmer by occupation.
Mr. .-ind Mrs. Knox resided in Holmes
county until 1865, when they came tc this
county, settling upon a farm of one hun-
dred and eighty acres in Morris township.
As his financial resources increased he added
to his property until he became the owner,
of three hundred and seventy-three acres
of valuable land, but seventy-seven acres of
this now belongs to our subject. He is an
enterprising farmer whose long connection
with this department of labor has well quali-
fied him for successfully carrying on this
work. During the Civil war he was a strong
anti-slavery man and took an active part in
raising funds for the prosecution of hos-
tilities which were to result in the establish-
ment of the Union upon a firmer basis than
ever before. He now votes with the Democ-
racy and has served as trustee of his town-
ship. He belongs to the Christian church,
and is a man of genuine worth of character.
His wife is also living and like her husband
enjoys the warm regard of many friends.
They had but two children, Robert A., of
this review ; and Martha, the- wife of Joseph
Hall, of Berlin township.
Mr. Knox of this review was surrounded
by the invigorating influence of nature in his
154
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
youth for he was reared upon the farm and
the free, untrammeled life brought to him
a vigorous physique. His preliminary edu-
cation, acquired in the district schools, was
supplemented by study in the high school
of Fredericktown and by one term's
attendance at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
versity, at Delaware. Ohio. In 1876 he
began teaching in the district schools and
was thus engaged for ten years, when he ac-
cepted a position as teacher in the gramniiar
room of the schools of Fredericktown, and
has since sensed in this capacity, his labors
proving highly satisfactory to the citizens O'f
the place as well as to the pupils. He is
particularly thorough in his instruction and
requires good work from his. pupils, realiz-
ing that in their school days they are laying
in habits and knowledge, the foundation for,
the success or failure of their later lives, so
that he endeavors to equip them well for
subsequent duties.
In June, 1880, he wedded Miss Effie C.
Irwin, a native of Berlin township and a
daughter of George Irwin, now deceased.
She also was a teacher for some years. He
is a member of the Christian Church, his
wife of the Presbyterian Church, and in his
political views he is a stalwart Democrat.
Their iiome is celebrated for its gracious
hospitality and they are welcomed into the
circles of society where worth and intelli-
gence are the passports.
S. B. POTTER, M. D.
To minister to the sick and suffering, to
carry cheer, sympathy and aid to those in
pain and affliction — can a nobler field of use-
fulness be found ? Perhaps no one can quite
fill the place of the Christian physician as
he goes from home to home in a com-
munity, carrying with him an atmos-
phere of strength, helpfulness and hope.
The loved and venerated family physician
in many a household in Fredericktown and
the surrounding country is Dr. S. B. Potter,
who has attained distinction and wide-
spread celebrity for his skill and research
during the forty-eight years of his practice
here, and who is a valued member of several
medical associations.
The Doctor was born in South Bloom-
field, Morrow county, November 7, 1828,
one of the thirteen children of Lemuel and
Anna (Terry) Potter. His grandfather,
Jeremiah Potter, was a native of Rhode
Island, and at the time the colonists at-
tempted to throw off the yoke of British op-
pression he joined the ranks of the Amer-
ican army, and with his sons, Jeremiah and
Fisher, rendered valiant service for the
cause of liberty. He married a Miss Wind-
sor and for many years they resided in
Rhode Island, but in 1781, after the war
was practically ended, they removed to
Herkimer county. New York, where they
spent their remaining days.
Among their children was Lemuel Pot-
ter, the Doctor's father. He was born in
Rhode Island in 1776 — the year in which
the Declaration of Independence was writ-
ten. When the country became engaged in
a second war with England in 1812, he be-
came a captain in the American anny, and
was stationed at Sackett's Harbor. In Herki-
mer county he was married to Miss Anna
Terry, and in 1814 they started for Ohio,
spending one year in the town of Clinton,
Knox county, after which they removed to
Sparta. There the mother's death occurred
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
155
in 1849, ^"d ii^ 1862 the father removed
to a farm three miles south of Frederick-
town, where he died in i860. He made
farming his Hfe occupation and acquired a
comfortable competence. In politics he was
a Democrat, and socially he was connected
with the Masonic fraternity. He belonged
to the Baptist church, in which he held of-
fice for a number of years, and he was ever
a man of the highest respectability. Of his
thirteen children, four yet survive: T. R.,
who is a practicing physician of Oletha, Kan-
sas; J. W., a resident of Licking county,
Ohio: Samantha J-, the widow of Seaman
Wright, of Wayne township; and the Doc-
tor, who is the youngest.
Dr. Potter, of this review, was reared in
his parents' home, and in the common
schools beg"an his education, which was con-
tinued in Corlett's Academy in Frederick-
town, and in Norwalk College. The ele-
mental strength of his character was early
manifest in the fact that he paid his own
way through college. He began teaching at
the age of twenty and thus he laid the foun-
dation for his later advancement in profes-
sional life. In 1850 he began reading med-
icine with his brother, Dr. T. R. Potter, and
in the winter season he taught school in or-
der to meet his expenses. In the fall of 1852
he entered the Jefiferson Medical College, at
Philadelpjliia, where he was graduated in
1854. and in the same spring he opened an
office in Fredericktown, wiiere for forty-
eight years he has continuously engaged in
practice, his patronage being large and
Ir.crative. An innate desire to- do his best,
to reach jterfection as near as possible, has
ever been manifest in his professional ca-
reer, making him a student of the books and
magazines that set forth the discoveries
made each year and giving the advanced
thought and improved methods which have
led to the present proficiency and skill of
medical practitioners. In 1872 he took a
post-graduate course in Jefferson Medical
College.
On the 1st of April, 1855, Dr. Potter
married Miss Ellen B. Leonard, a native of
Knox county and a daughter of Hon. Byron
Leonard, who was at one time the repre-
sentative from his district in the state legis-
lature and later was warden of the state
penitentiary. He was a very influential and
prominent citizen and was widely and fa-
■\'o-rably known. His wife bore the maiden
name of Abbie Lewis. For sixteen years
Dr. Potter and his wife lived happily to-
gether and were then separated by the hand
of death, the wife being called to the home
beyond. She left two children: Anna, the
wife of T. W. Galleher, chief freight agent
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company,
at Baltimore, Maryland; and Nellie A., at
home. In 1872 the Doctor was again mar-
ried, his second union being with Mrs. Delia
M. Burns, the widow of Dr. Alfred Burns
and a daughter of Dr. A. W. Sweatland.
Her death occurred Januarv 27, 1901.
Dr. Potter has always exercised his right
of franchise in support of the men and meas-
ures of the Democracy. For eighteen years
he served as a member of the school board,
and the cause of education found in him
a warm friend, ever ready to ad\-ance the in-
terests of the schools. Other than this iie
has always refused public office. Socially
he is identified with Wayne Lodge, No. 303,
K. of P., and in the line of his profession
with the Northern Ohio Medical Associa-
tion and the American Medical Association.
He belongs to the Baptist church, and for a
'56
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
number of years has held office therein. His
life has been one of the greatest usefulness
to his fellow men, and has been characterized
by unflagging devotion to his professional
duty. He has the strictest regard for the
ethics of the profession, and as a man and
citizen his life is above reproach.
URIAH C. WORKMAN.
This prominent citizen of Buckeye City,
Union township, Knox county, Ohio, is a
reputable and successful undertaker and fur-
niture dealer, and has served his townsmen
ably as mayor and in other official capacities.
He was born in Howard township, Knox
county, November i8, 1851, a son of J-ames
AVorkman, who' was born in Union town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio, jNIarch 26, 1828,
and married there.
Joseph Workman, father of James and
grandfather of Uriah Workman, was born
in Maryland and came to Knox county about
181 3 and located in Union township, where
he owned a tract of land which embraced the
present site of Buckeye City. He died in
1852, and is buried in the Workman cem-
etery, which is on sections 6 and 7, Union
township. He was of German ckscent, and
his first American ancestor was one of three
brothers who came early from Germany to
Maryland. Four settlers of the name came
to Union township about 1813. two broth-
ers named Stephen and Joseph antl two
brothers of another family named David and
Abraham. Joseph and Stephen remained in
Union township, David went to Howard
township. Knox county, and .Abraham set-
tled finallT in Coshocton countv. Ohio.
James Workman, son of Joseph Workman,
married Mary A. Rolston, a native of Har-
rison township, Knox county, Ohio, whose
parents came from Virginia. She died in
1S74. Rev. James Workman is living in
Brown township, Knox county. They had
five sons and a daughter, all of whom grew
up, married and had children. Frank, the
youngest, was accidentally killed. Silas H.
and J. C. live in Berlin township. Knox
county. Alonzo R. lives in Brown town-
ship, Knox county. Alice married A. Helser
and lives in Brown township.
The subject of this sketch, the eldest of
his father's family, was only a year old when
his parents settled in Brown township, where
he was reared and educated in public schools.
His educational proficiency was so satisfac-
tory that he was early in life employed to
teach two terms of school in Brown town-
ship. He remained under his father's roof
until September 21, 1873: he married Bar-
bara Workman, daughter of Stephen and
granddaughter of David Workman, who has
been referred to as a pioneer. Mrs. Work-
man was born, reared and educated in How-
ard township, Knox county.
After his marriage Mr. \\orkman lo-
cated in BroAvn township, where he remained
three years, devoting himself to farming.
He removed thence tO' Pike township, where
he bought a farm, on which he lived three
years or until he came to Buckeye City, then
known as Roseville, and embarked in the
hardware trade, in which he continued suc-
cessfully for twenty years. Eventually he
bought out an old established undertaking
business, which he conducted in connection
with his hardware store until two years ago,
when he disjXJsed of his hardware interest
and ]nit in a line of furniture. In 1892 he
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
157
took lessons in embalming- and holds a di-
ploma as an expert in that art. His trade
is large and lucrative and as a business man
he enjoys the confidence of the entire com-
munity. During- the first administration of
President Cle\-eland he filled the office of
postmaster. He was elected mayor of Buck-
eye City in 1894 and by re-election has held
the office continuously since. He has been
called to other important local offices, and
has filled them all with ability, discretion
and the strictest integrity. Politicallly he is
a Democrat. He and his wife are members
of the German Baptist church, in wbich his
father is a minister and in which his grand-
father Workman was also a minister. His
son, Clifford A. Workman, born July 7,
1882, assists him in his business and is a
young man of much ability and promise.
FRANCIS M. STILLWELL.
Francis Marion Stillwell, who is engaged
in the livery business in Fredericktown, was
for many years engaged in agricultural pur-
suits in Kno^x county, and is widely and fa-
vorably known. He is one of Ohio's native
sons, his birth having occurred in Perry
township, jMorrow county, on the 27th of
January, 1836. He represents one of the
oldest families of this state. His paternal
grandfather, Obediah Stillwell, came to
Ohio from Virginia and entered land from
the government. He then gave his attention
to its in-iprovement and developed a good
farm. He died April 8, 1850, while his
wife, Mrs. Sarah (\\'arford) Stillwell, lived
to the age of one hundred and two years, six
months and nineteen days. She was a highly
respected A\oman and \\-as widely known in
Knox county.
Their son, Joseph Stillwell, was born in
Virginia, and with his parents came to the
Buckeye state when fourteen years of age.
Here he was reared amid the wild scenes of
pioneer life, and to farm work he always
devoted his energies. As a companion and
helpmate for the journey of life he chose
Mrs. Mary (Markey) Wilhelm, who was
born near Baltimore, Maryland, and in early
womanhood married a Mr. Jacob Wilhelm.
After his death she became the wife of Jo-
seph Stillwell, and untO' them were born five
children : Melvina, Jeremiah, Jacob, Elias
and Francis Marion.
The last named pursued his education in
the district school near his home, where he
mastered the common branches of English
learning. His training at farm work was
not meager, for at an early age he began
work in his father's fields and assisted there
from the time of spring plantiiag until crops
were harvested in the autumn, but this ex-
perience proved of value to him when he
began farming on his own account. He fol-
lowed that pursuit for many years, and suc-
cessfully tilled the soil, his labors bringing
to him good harvests. In the spring of 1,901,
however, he abandoned farming and locat-
ing in Fredericktown established a livery
stable, which he is now successfully conduct-
ing. -
On the 24th of January, 1855, Mr. Still-
well was united' in marriage to Miss Cath-
erine Shell, a daughter of Christian and
Margaret (Weaver) Shell, who came to
America from Wurtcmberg, Germany.
Eight children have been born unto our sub-
ject and his wife: John V.: Wilbert E. ;
Sarah ; Lot C. ; Herma, now deceased ;
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Obie: ^laggie C. : and Effie, deceased. Of
this family. Lot C. is now a successful at-
torney. He was educated in the common
schools, in the Mount Vernon high school
and then engaged in teaching for three years.
In the meantime he read law at home under
the direction of the Hon.'W. M. Koons, and
was admitted to practice in 1891, while in
1899 he was licensed to practice in the
United States courts. He had become a very
capable lawyer, and has a distinctively repre-
sentative clientage. He was married No-
vember 21, 1 89 1, to Miss Gertrude Blair,
and they now have three interesting chil-
dren, Wendall, Madeline and Ruth. ]\Ir.
Stilhvell, of this review, having spent his
entire life in Ohio and much of it in Knox
county, is widely known, and his upright
manhood has gained for him uniform re-
gard.
AARON DOUGLASS BEERS.
The well known Knox county, Ohio,
farmer and Odd Fellow whose name appears
above, and who is a resident of Frederick-
town, ^^'ayne township, was born at that
place May 15, 1852, a son of Joseph and
jane (Douglass) Beers. He was educated
in the high schools and early in life gave
attention to agriculture, to which he has de-
voted all his active years. He is a mem-
ber of Ellicott Lodge, No. 267, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and is one of its past
grands, having filled all its official chairs.
He is a member also of Knoix Encampment,
No. 211, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
of which he is past chief patriarch. In re-
ligion he affiliates with the Presbyterian
church, in the work of which he is active and
efficient. He is a citizen of recognized influ-
ence, which is always exerted in l>ehalf of
the best interests of his township and
county.
Joseph Beers, father of Aaron Douglass
Beers, -was born in Wayne township, Decem-
ber 15, 181 1, a son of Jabez and Mafy
(Loveridge) Beers. After acquiring a lim-
ited education in the common schools he be-
gan at the age of eighteen years an ap-
prenticeship to the mason's trade at Mount
Vernon, Ohio, and he was employed as a
brick mason and plasterer the most of his
life. He purchased the present farm in 1864,
and in 1879 erected the present residence
and resided here till his death, October 30,
1890. He had survived his wife, who died
June 3, 1881. He early identified himself
with the Presbyterian church, in which he
was called to fill several important offices.
He married Miss Jane Douglass on Decem-
ber 14, 1841, and about two years later built
the house in which he lived for thirty-six
years or until coming to the one in which
A. D. Beers now resides. They had two
sons, Theodore Leroy and Aaron Douglass
Beers. Theodore Leroy Beers became a
dentist and began the practice of his pro-
fession at Hudsonville, Illinois, whence he
removed to .Vincennes, Indiana . Later he
lived at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and he is now
located at Los Angeles, California.
Jabez Beers, father of Joseph Beers and
grandfather of Aaron Douglass Beers, was
born in New Jersey, March 25, 1781. He
married Mary Loveridge November 3, 1803,
and in 1805 they located in Alorris town-
ship, Knox county, Ohio. Mrs. Beers, who
was born November 13, 1782, bore her hus-
band six children, who were named as fol-
lows : Sarah, Samuel Smith, William Love-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
159
ridge, Joseph, George O. and Mary, all of
whom are dead. Aaron Douglass and John,
a son of Samuel and a resident of Clinton
township, are the only representatives of the
family left in Knox county.
Aaron Douglass Beers married Rebecca
Cook, June 17, 1884, and their only child is
a daughter, Stella, a high school student.
Rebecca (Cook) Beers died just eighteen
months after her marriage, on December
17, 1885. She was a daughter of William
Cook, of Aliddlebury township, Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, where she was born. February 22,
1894, Mv. Beers was married to Miss Jessie
Burnett, daughter of Robert and Helen Bur-
nett, and they have one daughter, Helen
Jane, a child of six years. Mr. Beers owns
one hundred acres of land just outside the
corporation of Fredericktown, and this was
a part of his father's homestead. Here he has
resided since the age of twelve years, and the
work of the farm has devolved upon him
from boyhood. He has here made such im-
provements as are needed on an up-to-date
farm, and is directing his attention princi-
pally to general farming, also' giving some
attention to the line of sheep-raising.
OSCAR RICE.
Oscar Rice, who follows farming on sec-
tion II, Brown township, Knox county, was
born in Jefferson township, near the village
of Greensville, on the 28th of July, 185 1, a
son of Frederick Rice, who was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1822.
The latter's father, Isaac Rice, claimed
Maryland as the state of his nativity. Soon
after his marriage he removed to the Key-
stone state, and in 1 829 he took up his abode
in Knox county, Ohio, entering a farm in
Jefferson township, where he spent his re-
maining days, passing away at the age of
fifty-five years. On that place his son Fred-
erick was reared from the age of seven years,
and he was there married to Nancy Jane
WithrO'W, a daughter of the Hon. James
Withrow, who came to this locality from
Carroll county, Ohio. During the year 1840
he represented his district in the legislature
and was a very prominent and influential
citizen. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rice passed
away in Jefferson township, the father dyiag
in 1875, and the mother survived until 1879.
Th<y were the parents of eight children, four
of whom are now living, namely : Oscar, the
subject of this review ; C. F., whose sketch
will be found on another page of this vol-
ume; and Charles P. and Byron L., who are
engaged in the implement business at
Greensville, Ohio'.
Oscar Rice was reared and educated in
the place of his nativity, and after attaining
his eighteenth year he began the profession
of teaching, following that occupation until
1895, during which time he taught in both
Indiana and Ohio. However, he followed
his profession principally in Jefferson town-
ship, and in the task of instructing the young
along lines of metal advancement his efforts
proved very effective. Since abandoning the
teacher's profession Mr. Rice has devoted his
time and attention tO' his farming and stock-
raising interests, in which he is meeting with
an equally high degree of success.
In 1887 he was united in marriage to Sa-
rah Young, a native of Knox county, Ohio,
and a daughter of John and Mary Yoiing.
Mr. Rice gives his political support to the
Democracv, and on its ticket he was elected
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
to the position of assessor of Brown town-
ship. He is kind and benevolent, charitable
in his opinions of others, _\-et firm and
positive in his convictions, and in the lo-
cality in which he has so long made his
liome he has a large circle of friends and
acquaintances.
CLAY D. MARTIN.
Clay D. ]\Iartin, who is engaged in gen-
eral farming in Berlin township, was born in
Fayette county. Missouri, November 24,
1863, and is the youngest of the three chil-
dren of John A. and Elizabeth (Lloyd)
Martin. The father was born and reared
in Pennsylvania, and removing to Missouri
there engaged in farming. His wife was a
native of Kentucky, and there spent her girl-
hood days. She was afforded excellent ed-
ucational pri\'ileges and was graduated from
Louisville College. She belonged to a very
prominent family of that state and was a
lady of marked culture and refinement. She
died in Kansas when about sixty-eight years
of age. In the family were two- sons and a
daughter, the latter being Laura, the wife
of Sterling Curry, a farmer of Vernon coun-
ty, Missouri.
Mr. Martin, of this review, was reared in
the west and imbibed the progressive spirit
which has led to the wonderful development
of that portion of the country. His youth
was passed in Mi.'^souri and Kansas, and his
education was acquired in the Montevallo
schools in Vernon county, Missouri. In
1889 he came to Ohio, making his way direct
to Berlin township, Knox county. Here he
has a small farm and is successfully en-
gaged in the cultivation of the cereals best
adapted to 'this climate. In summer the
green fields give promise of golden harvests
and the neat and thrifty air which pervades
the place indicates the careful superT.ision of
the owner.
On the 28th of April, 1887, in Missouri,
Mr. Ivlartin led to the marriage altar Miss
Elizabeth Leedy, a daughter of Rev. Isaac
and Nancy (Bostater) Leedy. Their union
has been blessed with four living children :
Cora, Pearl. Ollie and Martha. They also
lost one child in infancy. They have a pleas-
ant home in Berlir, township and delight to
entertain their many friends. They hold
membership in the Brethren church, and Mr.
Martin belongs to the Grange. He has al-
ways been a Democrat, and on that ticket he
was elected township trustee in 190 1. There
have been no exciting chapters in his life
history, but his career illustrates what can
be accomplished through determination and
strong purjxjse. Depending on his own re-
sources he has gained a place among the
substantial and leading young farmers of his
adopted county.
J. CALVIN LONEY.
The reward of a well spent life is an
honorable retirement from labor, and it is
meet that after years of industry and
strightforward dealing one should enjoy rest
from business cares. This has Deen vouch-
safed to Mr. Loney, who is now located in
North Liberty, but who through a long pe-
riod was identified with farming interests in
Pike township. He was born in this town- I
ship January 29, 1835, and is a representa-
tive of one of the oldest families of Vir-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ginia. His grandfather, John Loney, was
born in the Old Dominion and emigrated
westward, settHng in Harrison county, Ohio,
Avhere he engaged in fanning. Subsequent-
!}• he came with his familj- to Knox county,
and here he entered alxiut five eighty-acre
tracts of Ian(h afterward giving one to each
of his sons. He also assisted his daughters
in starting in life. In his family were four
sons and two daughters, the third child and
second son being John Loney, the father of
our subject. His birth occurred in Harri-
son county, Ohio, and there he was reared
until his reached the age of twenty-one years,
when he came with his parents to Knox
county. He afterward returned to Harrison
county and was there married, following
which he brought his bride to this county.
He wedded Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, a
native of the former county, and through a
long period they were representative farm-
ing people of Pike township. They had
three sons and two daughters, of whom J.
Calvin Loney was the second. The father
gave his political support to the Democracy,
and held nearly all the township offices. He
had a very wide acquaintance and the salient
characteristics in his career commended him
to the confidence and good will of all with
whom he was associated. He died in his
eighty-seventh year.
A life-long resident of Knox county, J.
Calvin Loney first opened his eyes to the
light of day in a little log cabin which had
been built by his father, and when si.x years
of age he began his education in a log school
house, walking two miles in order tO' attend
school. Throughout the period of his youth
he pursued his studies for about three
months during the winter season, and dur-
ing the summer months he aided in farm
work. On the 13th of December, 1855, he
was united in marriage to Miss Mary C.
Ridenour, a native of Washington count}',
Maryland, who when about fifteen years of
age came to Pike township, Knox county,
Ohio, with iier parents, Daniel and Sarah
(Bene) Ridenour. They, too, were natives
of Maryland, and in their family were eight
children. On making their way westward
they established their new home in a log
cabin and experienced the toil and hardships
and also the pleasures of pioneer life.
Mr. and Mrs. Loney began their do-
mestic life upon the farm of one hundred
and sixty acres which was owned by his fa-
ther and on which they lived for thirteen
years, when he purchased a tract of land on
section 3, Pike township, continuing there
to make his home until 1892, when he built
his present residence in North Liberty. In
the meantime he had added to his original
tract of land and had become the OAraer of
six hundred acres, but as his children
started out in life he divided with them, thus
enabling them to secure goc*d homes. He is
now living retired, leaving the development
of his farm to others, the rented farm bring-
ing to him a good income.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Loney
was blessed with six children, three sons and
three daughters, namely: Clarence, who
married Louisa ^^■ood and is living in Pike
township; John Alvin, who married Sylvia
Hibbitts and also resided in Pike township;
Daniel W., a graduate of the medical de-
partment of the state university of Michigan,
who married Hallie Fulchs and is now prac-
ticing medicine in Norwalk, Ohio; Annie,
the wife of George Ridenour, a cousin, of
Wayne township: Alice Belle, the wife of
R. D. Horn, M. D., of Butler, Ohio; and
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Bernice, wife of Charles M. Leedy, a prom-
inent farmer of Pike township. They also
have lost three children in infancy. They
have twenty-one grandchildren and these and
the children of our subject were all born in
Pike township with the exception of the two
children of Dr. Loney. The family is one
of prominence, and its representatives enjoy
the hospitality of the best homes of this sec-
tion of the county. Mr. Loney is and has
been one of the leading men of Pike town-
ship, and in his political views he is a Dem-
ocrat. He has held local offices and has
ever discharged his duties in a prompt and
capable manner, betraying no political trust
in the slightest degree. Industry formed
the foundation upon which he reared the su-
perstructure of his success. His name in
business dealings is synonymous with hon-
esty and in all life's relations he has been
found true to upright principles.
JOSEPH A. FISH.
It is most fitting that many years of use-
ful and honorable labor should be crowned
with a well earned rest, that retirement from
toil should ofifer opportunity for the enjoy-
ment of life unharrassed by business cares
or responsibilities, and such has been vouch-
safed to Mr. Fish, who after many years
of connection with agricultural interests is
living quietly at his pleasant home in Lever-
ing. He was born in Congress township,
Monroe county, Ohio, September 29, 1838.
His father, Henry Fish, was a native of
Loudoun county, Virginia, and there spent
tke days of his youth. He wedded Mary
A. Burson, also a native of the game coun-
ty, and about 1831 they emigrated west-
ward, taking up their abode in Richland
county, Ohio, whence they afterward went
to Morrow county about 1832. There the
parents spent their remaining days. The fa-
ther was a Whig in early life, and when the
Repubhcan party was formed he joined its
ranks, giving to it his loyal support through-
out his remaining days. For about forty
years he was a member of the United
Brethren church, and his wife also held
membership in that denomination. He
passed away in 1884, at the age of eighty-
three years, for his birth occurred in 1801.
His wife, who was born in 1815, died in
1892. They were the parents of nine chil-
dren, six sons and three daughters, all of
whom grew to mature years and were mar-
ried with one exception.
Upon the homestead farm in Morrow
county Joseph Albert Fish remained through
the period of his minority. He acquired his
education in the district schools, and at the
age of fifteen began learning the plasterer's
trade, which he followed for abont nineteen
years. After his marriage he located in
Congress township, Morrow count}-, where
they lived for thirteen years, and then came
to Middlebury township, Knox county, lo-
cating on the farm where they resided un-
til 1901, when he erected their present home
in the village of Levering.
On the 13th of October, 1859, Mr. Fish
was united in marriage to^ Miss Mary Fine-
frock, a native of Richland county, Ohio,
born June 11, 1840. Her father, Peter Fine-
frock, was born in Pennsylvania and when a
young man removed to Richland county, this
state, where he met and married Elizabeth
Wirick, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio.
Mrs. Fish is their only child, and was reared
in the county of her nativity. Her father
OF KNOX COUNl"Y, OHIO.
163
died in 1859, at the age of forty-two years,
but her mother lived to be ninety-three years
of age, dying on the anniversary of her
birth, October 6, 1900. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Fish have been born two sons. John Frank-
Hn, the elder, married Emma Bayer, and
they had one son, who died at the age of
eight and a half years. Miles Jefferson
wedded Glenn V. Killen, and their only child,
a son, died at the age of six and a half
years.
Although Mr. Fish now resides in Lev-
ering he is yet the owner of a valuable tract
of land of one hundred and twenty acres,
which is located in Knox, Morrow and Rich-
land counties, and which returns to him a
good rental. In politics he is a Democrat
and served as trustee of Middlebury town-
ship and as school director. He has also
filled other local offices, and no trust re-
posed in him has ever been betrayed. So-
cially he is identified with Owl Creek Lodge,
No. 686, I. O. O. F., and has filled all of
the chairs, acting as treasurer of the lodge
since its organization. He has taken a very
active part in its work and exemplifies in his
life its fraternal and charitable principles.
He also belongs to the Grange at Bateman-
town. The success he has achieved in life is
the reward of his own labors. He entered
upon his business career without capital and
has steadily worked his way upward, gain-
ing a comfortable competence through un-
remitting labor and capable management.
JOHN P. BRECKLER.
In Howard township resides John P.
Breckler and the farming interests of the
community are well represented by him, for
he is energetic and progressive, carrying on
his work along modern lines. His birth oc-
curred in Jeft'erson township January 24,
1848. His father, Francis Breckler, was a
native of Pennsylvania and in early man-
hood came to Knox county, where he mar-
ried Catherine Heckler, who was born in
the fatherland and came to America when a
maiden of fourteen years. Mr. Breckler
died at the age of thirty-five, after which
his widow became the wife of Stephen Blu-
baugh, and her death occwrred when she was
sixty-five years of age. By her first mar-
riage she had five children, of whom our
subject is the youngest.
John P. Breckler spent the first eight
years of his life in his native township, and
then removed to Brown township. His
youth was one of toil, for at the early age
of ten years he began to earn his own liv-
ing, residing with his brother-in-law,
Stephen Blubaugh. There he raadie his
home until his marriage, which occurred
September 11, 1871. Miss Laura A. Sapp
became his wife. She was born in this coun-
ty and is a daughter of George and Delia
A. (White) Sapp. Two children grace this
union, Stephen J. and Charlie C. Mr.
Breckler includes in his family an orphan
boy of sixteen years, Henry Francis Davis,
who was taken by them when a ckild, and
has received the same advantages as his own
children.
After his marriage Mr. Breckler lo-
cated in Brown township, but subsequently
removed to Union township, and in 1875
came to Howard township, locating on the
farm where he now resides. Here he has
one hundred and four acres of good land,
much of it being excellent botton land, and
from the time of early spring planting un-
164
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
til the crops are gatheretl in the autumn he
is usually busy in the fields and the result
of his labors is seen in abundant harvests.
He realizes that there is no royal road to
wealth and that untiring labor must prove
the foundation for success. He voted for
General Grant at one time, but has with this
exception always gi\-en his support to the
Democratic party, and in his religious faith
he is allied with St. Luke's Catholic church
in Danville. His entire life has been spent
in Knox county, and as his career has ever
been an honorable one he has many friends
within its borders.
THOAIAS RANDOLPH HEAD.
Labor forms the foundation of all pros-
perity, and it is to his enterprising and well
directed efforts that our subject owes his
position as a leading and representative
farmer of College township, Knox county.
He was born in Hampshire county, Vir-
ginia, on the 5th of August, 1823, a son of
Nathan and Penelope (Wennan) Head, na-
tives, respectively, of Maryland and Vir-
ginia. This worthy couple became the par-
ents of the following children, namely : Mary
A., the widow of Joseph Dull ; Nathan, de-
ceased; Thomas Randolph, the subject of
this review ; Joseph and Hannah, twins, both
of whom are now deceased; Sarah A., John
ait'd Penelope, deceased; and Franklin, who
makes his home in Missouri.
Thomas Randolph Head received but
meager educational advantages during- his
youth, attending for a time a primitive log
school house in Virginia, to which he was
obliged to walk a distance of two miles. In
1835 he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Pleasant township, Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, the family making the journey in
a one-horse wagon, and on the trip they were
accompanied by another family, making a
party of eighteen. In the fall of the same
year the Head family took up their abode
in Gambler, and our subject at that time was
but twelve years of age. Until his twenty-
second year he remained on his father's farm
and Ije then began working for neighboring
farmers by the month, continuing thus until
1849, ■when he embarked in the butchering
business in Gambier, continuing that occu-
pation for twelve years. His next vocation
was that of buying and shipping cattle, hogs
and sheep, which he fotmd a profitable
source of investment, but in 1898 he aban-
doned that occupation, since which time he
has devoted his attention to looking after
his extensive landed interests. He now
owns a fine farm of three hundred and
sixty-four acres of excellent and well cul-
tivated land, on which may be found all the
necessary improvements of a well regulated
homestead. For a time Mr. Head ser\-ed
as agent for Kenyon College, looking after
its farms, houses and other property, and for
a number of years he served as trustee and
assessor of College township, discharging
his public duties to the entire satisfaction of
all concerned. All his trade transactions are
carried on with the strictest regard for the
ethics of commercial life, and in busi-
ness circles his reputation for honesty is
above question.
On the 2 1st of October, 1849, was cele-
brated the marriage of Mr, Head and ^liss j
Angeline Darby, born July 17, 1826, and for
just half a century were they permitted the
privilege of closest communion, each being |
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
165
a full complement to the other. On the 21st
of October, 1899, just fifty years after their
troths were plighted, was the companion-
ship broken, she being called in advance,
there to await a reunion that shall know no
severance. She had been a patient sufferer
for years, but for only a few months had
friends feared the- result. Hers was a noble
life, filled with womanly love and devotion.
Her loss was deply mourned not only by
her immediate family, but by a large circle
of friends.
The Republican party receives Mr.
Head's hearty support and co-operation,
while in his social relations he has 1>een a
member of the Masonic order for the past
fortv years, exemplifying its ennobling prin-
ciples in his erery-day life, and he is now a
member of the thirty-second degree. Relig-
iously he is a member of the Episcopal
church and takes a leading part in its work,
doing all in his power to promote its growth
and success. ^Ir. Head contributes liberally
of his time and means to all worthy enter-
prises, withholding not his support from any
public movement or measure which he be-
lieves will prove of benefit to the commu-
nitv.
JOHN JA^IES TULLOSS.
The man whose name is mentioned above
has been identified with Alorgan township,
Knox county, Ohio, for eighty-two years,
and during that long period has been not
only a living witness of the development of
its history and prosperity, but a vital factor
in its progress. John James Tulloes, son
of John James and Elizabeth (Honey) Tul-
loss. was born in ^Morgan township Septem-
ber II, 1820, was educated in its old sub-
scription schools and has been an independ-
ent farmer since he attained the age of twen-
ty-one years except during four }-ears, and
has passed his entire life in the township,
having his home always on the same piece
of ground. In religious affiliation he is a
Primitive Baptist. Politically he has been
a Democrat during all the years of his man-
hood, and he has always been influential in
local affairs and for six years held the of-
fice of township trustee.
October 24, 1844, Mr. Tulloss married
Caroline Campnett Smith, daughter of
James Harrington and Martha (Davis)
Smith, who was born in the township April
8, 1826, and who has borne him children as
follows : Emily, who died at the age of
sixteen years. Byron Leonard, a druggist
at Columbus, Ohio. He married Josephine
Van Buskirk and had four children, three
of whom died in infancy and one of whom,
Clyde E., survives. His second wife was
Sarah E. Dennis, who left one child li\-ing,
Josephine R. ; and for his third wife he mar-
ried Mrs. Maggie Carpenter. The next in
order of birth of John J. Tulloss' children
was named John James, who died at thirty-
one. Reese P., who died at thirty-four of
an accident, a ball from a rifle which he
picked up carelessly by the muzzle and which
was discharged by the hammer coming in
contact with a nail, penetrating his heart.
Almina \\'eaver became his wife and bore
him three children, named Reese Edgar, De
Sylvia and Freddie Wayne. Benjamin
Franklin went to Texas and was last heard
from twenty years ago through a letter
which he wrote announcing his intention of
going up in the mountains with a large herd
of cattle. George Washington married Rilla
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Boner, and lives in Wayne township, Knox
county. He is a minister of the Primitive
Baptist church. Cynthia Almeda and Caro-
Hne Campnett are members of their father's
household.
Captain John James Tulloss, Sr., was
born in Fauquier county, Virginia, Septem-
ber, 1784, and was married in March, 1815,
to Elizabeth Honey, also a native of Vir-
ginia, born about 1778. They had children
as follows : Ann, who married Benjamin
Seymour and lives in Kansas; Elizabeth,
who married Charles Stevens and lives in
]\Iiller township, Knox county, Ohio'; Will-
iam, who married Cynthia Smith and after
her death Felicia Scott, of Mount Vernon;
Richard S., who was born in 1819, was for
twenty years a justice of the peace in Mor-
gan township, where he was a lifelong resi-
dent, was a member of the Ohio state con-
stitutional convention in 1870, and at his
death, in -1892, left a farm of six hundred
acres; he never married; John James, who
was next in order of birth; Benjamin, who
married Margaret Campbell, and is living
in retirement at Mount Vernon ; and Susan,
who died March 28, 1899; and Rodham,
who married Betsy Harris ; she died in 1873,
he passing away two years later. The fa-
ther of these children came tO' Licking coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1807, and returned to Vir-
ginia in 1 8 14, and was there married in
181 5. He was the captain of a Knox coim-
ty company in the war of 181 2. He bought
five hundred acres of military land in Knox
county and improved it into valuable prop-
erty, which has since been divided into
smaller tracts, and is still held by the Tul-
loss family. While a resident of Licking
county he made the first brick ever manu-
factured in Newark. After his location in
Knox county he was a farmer until his
death, which occurred when he was fifty-
seven years old.
Azariah Davis, the grandfather of Mrs.
Tulloss, was born in Greene county, Penn-
sylvania, of Welsh descent, and was a sol-
dier in the Revolutionary war. He married
Elsie Van Meter, a daughter of Henry Van
Meter and a native of Virginia, v^^ho had
come on horseback to Greene county, Penn-
sylvania, and in 1799 they went to Loudoun
county, Virginia. James Harrington
Smith, the father of Mrs. Tulloss, was born
near Hagerstown, Maryland. When quite
young he was taken to Pennsylvania, where
he subsequently married. He settled in
Ohio in 181 1 and sensed his country in the
war of 1812. He was the father of children
named Azariah, Benjamin, Mary (Tst),
John, Mary (2d), Sarah, Rebecca, James,
Henry, Rachel, Caroline and Reese. Of
this family of children Mrs. Tulloss is the
only one living. Azariah was a citizen of
Knox co'unty. Benjamin lived in Morgan
township eighty-nine years. Their daugh-
ter lives on their old home farm on the New-
ark road in that township. Mary married
Reese McClellon and she and her husband
both are now dead. John died of yellow
fever at New Orleans, Louisiana. Sarah
married Wesley McCune and had seven chil-
dren, named Harrington, Charles, Henry,
Margaret, Etwinna, Alexander and Charles,
all now being deceased. Rebecca married
Henry Crumley and they had children
named Oscar, Sarah, Margaret and Sarah
Adeline. James married Harriet Todd and
she lives in Putnam county, Ohio. Their
children were named Lafayette, Louisa,
Julia, Kossuth, Jefi^erson and Ammie Caro-
line. Henrv married Sarah McVev for his
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
[67
first wife and his second wife was Han-
nah Harris, who also has passed away.
Martha, his daughter, lives in Licking cotm-
ty, Ohio. His children by his second mar-
riage were Elzie, Emma, Frank, Carrie;
George, Reese and Mammie. The latter
married Xewton jMcVey and lives in Carth-
age, Missouri. Caroline married John
James Tulloss. Reese, who married Alice
Fly, was killed by Indians in Arizona.
Their children were named Cornelius, Reese
and Cornelia. Benjamin Tulloss, a brother
of our subject, was born December 25, 1768,
and became one of the pioneers in Ohio
some time after his brother. He married
Mary Marshall and died in February, 1847,
and his wife February 14, 1846.
DAVID BRTCKKR ELLIOTT.
The well-known farmer of Morgan
township, Knox county, Ohio, whose name
is above, and some account of whose useful
life should be included in this work, was
born in Knox county, August 30, 1856, a
son of Samuel and Anna Belle (Bricker)
Elliott. He was e'ducated in the public
schools near his home and at Utica. He
has been a farmer since he was twenty years
of age, and has made a success in his chosen
field of labor.
David Bricker Elliott was reared in the
Presbyterian faith and carefully instructed
in everything tending to make him a good
Democrat. He has for years been influential
in his township, and for a decade and a half
has filled the office of school director. He
was married December 12, 1878, to Miss
Mary Warner, daughter of Jack and Emily
(Arven) Warner, who was born April 13,
1859, and who has borne her husband chil-
dren as follows : Belle, born October 14,
1879; Samuel Arthur, born June 6, 1883;
Emily M., born September 10, 1886, and
died when five years old; Nellie, born Oc-
tober 12, 1888; Tressa, June 26, 1892;
Helen, February 2, 1895; Florence, Novem-
ber 20, 1896; Wilbur, November 3, 189S;
and James, April 15, 18.90.
Samuel Elliott, the father of the subject
of this sketch, was born in Clay township,
Knox county, Ohio, December 25, 1839, and
was educated in subscription schools near his
boyhood home, which were taught in log
school houses with puncheon floors and slab
seats and writing benches. He was a member
of the Presbyterian church and a lifelong
Democrat, and several times filled the ofiice
O'i township trustee. Anna Belle (Bricker)
Elliott was born in Knox countv, Ohio, in
1837-
Patrick Elliott, grandfather of David
Bricker Elliott, was born in Ireland, and
when a mere child was brought by his par-
ents tO' America. The family made the voy-
age in a sailing vessel and located in Penn-
sylvania, whence Patrick Elliott came to
Knox countv, Ohio, at an earlv date.
JAMES HONEY.
One of those old and honored pioneers
who came early to Knox county, Ohio, and
assisted literally "to make a wilderness
bloom like a rose" and who influenced and
participated in all its later developments was
the late James Honey, who was born in
1799 and died in 1885.
1 68
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
James Honey was a son of William and
Nancy iLathram) Honey, and tirst saw the
light of day in Fauquier county,' Virginia,
and was there educated in the public schools.
His father died when he was quite young,
leaving a family of twelve children, named
as follows: John, Elizabeth. George, Will-
iam, Susan, Margaret, Allen. Ann. Lucinda.
Frank, James and Frances, the last men-
tioned of whom died in infancy. When
about nineten years old he came with his
mother to Knox county, Ohio, and bought
one hundred and forty-six acres of military
land in Morgan township, which he devel-
oped into a good farm, on which his daugh-
ter, Caroline, now lives, and which she man-
ages with much ability. In politics he was
a Democrat of the stanchest type. In re-
ligion he was an old-school Baptist. He
was a man of much energy and exerted a
good inlluence upon the comnnmity in which
he lived, and in his later years he took a
pardonable pride in the fact that he had
cleared a farm in the midst of a A-eritable
forest and developed it into a valuable ag-
ricultural property. His oldest brother.
John, then quite young, rendered service in
the war of 1812.
Mr. Honey was married in 1829 to
Susan Sellers, daughter of Jacob and Mary
(Beam) Sellers, who bore him children as
follows : William, a farmer who li\-es at
Red Oak, Iowa : Nancy, who married Will-
iam Mercer and died in March. 1901 ; Mary
Elizabeth, who died at thirteen ; Caroline
M., who lives on her father's homestead;
and Margaret Jerusha, who is the wife of
James Cooksey, living on part of the old
homestead. The mother of these children
died in 1876.
LEROY G. HUNT.
Almost continuously through the last
decade of the nineteenth century Colonel Le-
roy G. Hunt was in public office in Mount
Vernon and no one has ever more capably,
efficiently and faithfully served his fellow
townsmen than he. For four years he was
a member of the city council and for four
years mayor, and throughout the period he
exercised his official prerogatives in support
of all measures of practical utility, of re-
form and substantial progress.
Mr. Hunt is numbered among the na-
tive residents of Knox county, his birth hav-
ing occurred at Hunt Station in 1843. I"
the first decade of the century the family
was founded in this county by Jonathan
Hunt, the grandfather of our subject, who
came from Maryland to Ohio about 1806.
Here he began the development of a home
upon the wild western frontier and aided
in reclaiming this district for purposes of
civilization. When the country became in-
volved in a second war with Great Britain
he joined the army and fought for the rights
of the nation. He married Honor Wells,
who resided near Wellsville, Ohio, and
among their children was Thomas Hunt,
who was born in 181 1 upon the same farm
where cxcurred the birth of our subject, and
where he died in 1852, being killed by the
falling of a tree. He wedded Miss Mary
Baxter, a daughter of one of the pioneer
settlers of Pleasant township, Knox county.
In addition to our subject their children
were : Thomas, who is now living in Mount
Vernon; Honor J., the wife of J. J. Phiffer,
of this city; Richard C. who was a member
of Company G. Twentieth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and is living in Los Angeles. Cali-
Le/lxrt^i^^
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
169
fornia; and John D., who was a member
of the One Hundred and Forty second Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and is living in Petos-
key, Michigan. One son, Ezra Hunt, died
in 1893.
It is a well-known fact that the majority
of men who become prominent in the
various important walks of life come
from the farm. Our subject was thus
reared amid the beauties of nature,
growing vigorous and strong in mind
and body, nourished by healthful coun-
try food, breathing pure air and from his
infancy feeling that freedom and independ-
ence which comes to the fanner above all
others. He pursued his education in the
common schools, and in 1861 he offered his
services to the government, becoming one
of the boys in blue of Company G, Twenti-
eth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which
he served until 1865, when, the war having
ended, he received an honorable discharge.
He was under Grant in the seige of Vicks-
burg, was with Sherman's army in the At-
lanta campaign and went with him on the
celebrated march to the sea, being a member
of the Seventeenth Army Corps under Gen-
eral McPherson. He was never known to
falter before duty and with loyal courag-
eous spirit defended the Union cause until
the supremacy of the national government
at Washington was established.
After his return to Knox county Mr.
Hunt was connected with the building trade
for a time and afterward conducted an om-
nibus line for sixteen years. For thirty
years he has been engaged in the livery bus-
iness in Mount Vernon and has a good es-
tablishment, well-equipped with a large line
of fine vehicles and many excellent horses.
His earnest desire to please his customers
and his reasonable prices have secured for
him a liberal patronage.
Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Martha
F. Sapp, a daughter of Levi Sapp, deceased,
formerly of Mount Vernon. Socially he is
connected with the Royal Arcanum, the
National Union, the Junior Order of United
American Mechanics and the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, being the first
exalted ruler of the lodge in this place. He
likewise belongs to the Grand Army Post,
of Mount Vernon, has served as Its com-
mander, and was on the staff of the state
department commander and for one term on
the staff of the national commander. He
belongs to the Loyal Legion and is quarter-
master general on the staff of General T.
W. Minshell, of the Ohio Brigade of the
Uniformed Rank of Knights of Pythias, and
he commanded the Fifth Regiment of
Knights of Pythias in Ohio for over six
years. He also served as signal officer on
the stafif of General Howe of the Ohio Bri-
gade of Knights of Pythias. In his polit-
ical views he is a stanch Republican, unwav-
ering in his allegiance to the principles of
the party. He served as deputy sheriff
for one year under Sheriff Steele and
in 1891 was elected a member of the
city council, serving in that office for
four successive years. In 1896 he was
elected mayor and continued in that posi-
tion for four years, during which time
he demonstrated that his loyalty to the
best interests of his city was as great as that
which he displayed toward the Union cause
during the Civil war. He studied closely
public needs and demands and endorsed
every measure which he believed would
prove of public good. His course was such
as to continue him in the warm regard of his
I70
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
fellow men which he had long enjoyed, and
as a representative citizen of Knox county
he well deserves mention in this volume.
HENRY B. BANNING.
Knox county has produced many men
who in various important walks of life have
honored their native county and prominent
among these was General Henry B. Ban-
ning. An enumeration of the men of the
present generation who have attained to em-
inent positions and at the same time have
reflected credit upon the state to which they
belong would be incomplete were there fail-
ure to make reference of him whose name
initiates this paragraph. He held distinc-
tive precedence as a member of the bar and
also in Democratic circles in the state. He
won distinction and glory upon the field of
battle and throughout his useful public ca-
reer he so conducted himself as to win the
encomiums of even those who were opposed
to him politically.
General Banning was the sixth child of
James S. and Eliza (Blackstone) Banning,
and was bom in Mount Vernon November
10, 1836. He pursued his education in the
Clinton school, in Hull Rigsby's private
school and in Sloan's Academy, in Mount
Vernon. At the age of seventeen he took up
the study of law in the office and under the
direction of Hosmer Curtis and Joseph De-
vin and after his admission to the bar became
a partner of William Dunbar, but his con-
nection with the legal fraternity had contin-
ued only a few years when the Civil war was
inaugurated. He had watched with interest
the progress of events in the south and had
determined that if an attempt was made to
overthrow the Union he would aid in its
preservation. Accordingly he enlisted in
1 86 1 as a member of the Fourth Ohio In-
fantry, which was one of the most gallant
regiments upon the field of action through-
out the war. He was elected captain of
Company B and later he was recommended
by General Shields for the position of major
of the Fifty-second Ohio, but he never
joined that regiment, being placed in com-
mand of the Eighty-seventh, a regiment en-
listed for three months' service. On the
expiration of that period he became lieuten-
ant-colonel of the One Hundred and Twen-
ty-fifth Ohio and served as such until the
spring of 1863, when he became colonel of
the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio
Volunteers. This regiment was at Chicka-
mauga and was led by Colonel Banning in a
charge which resulted in the capture of the
colors of the Twenty-second Alabama — the
only. Rebel colors captured in that sanguin-
ary engagement. At Kenesaw Mountain
Colonel Banning and his brave men also
won other laurels, but the victory cost them
dear, over thirty-three per cent, being killed
or wounded. The Colonel gave the order
for his men to lie down and not retire a
single inch until he commanded them to
do so. They obeyed and for four hours
they lay there, unsupported and exposed to
a galling fire of artiller}' and small arms,
upon both flanks and in front. In 1S65
Colonel Banning was promoted brevet brig-
adier general for gallant and meritorious
conduct during the Atlanta campaign. His
regiment was with Thomas at Nashville and
participated in many of the important en-
gagements of the great war which at length
brought salvation to the imperilled Union.
He was ever brave and loyal in the discharge
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
of his duty and his own courage inspired
his men to deeds of valor. In the spring of
1865 he was given command of the One
Hundred and Ninety-fif'th Ohio Regiment
and served in the valley of Virginia. He
was commander of the post at Alexandria
and in December, 1865, he was mustered
out as brevet major general.
General Banning put aside military hon-
or merely to receive those of civil life, for
in 1865 he was elected by Knox county to
the state legislature. In 1868 he removed
to Cincinnati, where he opened an office and
engaged in the practice of law, his compre-
hensive knowledge of jurisprudence, his
ability in the court room and his careful
preparation of cases gaining for him a large
and important clientage. In 1872 he was
again called to public life being elected to
congress on the Democratic ticket over
Rutherford B. Hayes, and later for the same
office he defeated Job Stevenson and Stan-
ley Mathews. He was twice re-elected and
his work in the council chambers of his na-
tion was of an important character. His
loyalty was above question and with unfal-
tering purpose he supported the measures
which he believed would advance the coun-
try's welfare. His death occurred Decem-
ber 10, 1 88 1, and Ohio lost a citizen whose
career (reflected credit upon her military,
legal and political history. On the politi-
cal stage such was his personal popularity
and such his personal magnetism that his
appearance to address the people was the
signal for tumultuos enthusiasm. His was
a sturdy American character and a stalwart
patriotism, and he had the strongest attach-
ment for our free institutions and was e\er
willing to make any personal sacrifice for
their preservation.
In 1868 Mr. Banning married Julia
Kirby, a daughter of Timothy Kirby, of Cin-
cinnati. They had four children: Kirby,
deceased; Harry B. ; Ella K. ; and Clin-
ton K.
MRS. BELLE C. JOHNSON.
Mrs. Belle C. Johnson was born on the
farm adjoining the one on which she now re-
sides, and is a daughter of George W. and
Margaret (Morton) Davis. She was one
of four children, three of whom still sur-
vive. Her sister Emma became the wife of
Earl Squires, of Granville, Knox county,
and her brother, John, is a resident of Mount
Vernon, Illinois. The father, George W.
Davis, who was born on the farm- in Clin-
ton township on which Mr. John S. Abbott
now resides, January 9, 182 1, wasi a son of
Alexander and Isabelle (Beam) Davis. The
Davis family is of German descent, and
George Davis, the father of Alexander,
came to this state from Culpepper Court
House, Virginia, about the year 1800 and
settled on the land now owned by M. M.
Kelly, which place at the time of the form-
er's death descended to his son Alexander.
Alexander Davis was a soldier in the war
of 18 12, receiving for services rendered
land warrants, which he aftefrward located
in Iowa, taking up military lands in that
state.
His wife came with her parents from
New Jersey to the Buckeye state, and their
marriage was celebrated in Knox county.
Their original homestead now constitutes
the farms owned by John S. Abbott, M. M.
Kelly, Ransom Shinabury and C. C. Abbott,
but later they sold their holdings here and
172
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
went tO' Warren county, Ohio, where Mr.
Davis purchased large tracts of land in the
Little Miami bottoms, near Morrow and
there his death occurred. George W. Davis,
the father of our subject, spent the days of
his boyhood and youth in Knox county, and
after reaching mature years he was given the
old home farm, where he spent his entire life
with the exception of three years when he
made his home near the town in order that
his children might enjoy the advantages of
the city schools. At his death he owned one
hundred and eight acres of land at Hunt's
Station, which was afterward sold to E.
Hamilton. Eighty acres south of Mount
Vernon was sold to Dr. Pumphrey, while
his home farm of ninety-two acres is still in
possession of his wife, Margaret Davis.
His life's labors were ended in death in
1865, when; he had reached the age of forty-
four years. He was a Republican in his
political views, and, although never an as-
pirant for political honors, he took an active
interest in the issues and questions of the
day, and was at all times a public-spirited
and wide-awake citizen. Although not a
member of any religious denomination, he
attended the services of the Presbyterian
church, and did whatever he could to spread
the cause of Christianity among his fellow
men. His wife, who was born in Washing-
ton county, Pennsylvania, was a daughter of
Joseph and Margaret (Welsh) Morton, who
came to the Buckeye state in 1835, locating
in Clinton township, Knox county. The
Morton family is of Irish extraction.
Mrs. Belle C. Johnson, whose name in-
troduces this review, was reared to mature
years in the county of her nativity, and was
educated in the Mount Vernon High School.
In 1879 she was united in marriage to Isaac
Johnson, and he, too, v>as a native of Clin-
ton township, born on the 20th of Decem-
ber, 1818, a son of Nathaniel and Isabelle
(Adams) Johnson. He received his ele-
mentary education in the public schools of
Knox county and Mount Vernon, after
which he became a student in the Dennison
University. After his marriage, which oc-
curred in his sixtieth year, he located on
the farm on which his widow now resides.
He was very successful in his farming and
stock raising interests, and at the time of
his death his landed property in this county
and western states comprised thirteen hun-
dred acres. He gave his political support
to the Democracy, but was never a politi-
cian in any sense of the word, preferring to
give his time to his business affairs. So-
cially he was a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He closed his eyes
in death at his old home in Clinton township
on the 2 1 St of October, 1893. The entire
community mourned his loss, for he was a
man of incalculable worth to his locality.
His career was that of an honorable, en-
terprising and progressive business man,
whose well-rounded character also enabled
him toi take an active interest in educational,
social and moral affairs. In all life's rela-
tions he commanded the respect and confi-
dence of those with whom he came in con-
tact, and the memory of his upright life
is an inspiration to the many friends who
knew him well and were familiar with his.
virtues.
Three children blessed the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Johnson, namely : Alice, who is a
graduate of Harcourt Place Seminary, and
attended school at the Granville Female
College, is at home; Isaac Sterling is at-
tending school at the Pennsvlvania Military
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
f73
College, of Chester, Pennsylvania ; and Har-
old C. is attending the Doane Academy, of
Granville. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter
are members of the Presbyterian church.
L. L. WILLIAMS, M. D.
For ten years Dr. L. L. Williams has
been numbered among the medical practi-
tioners of Mount Vernon. He is a native
of Licking county, Ohio, his birth having
there occurred in 1858. His father, John
W. Williams, was born in Fairfield county,
Ohio, and at an early day removed to Lick-
ing county, where he died many years ago.
His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah J.
Scott, and was a daughter of James Scott,
who removed from Pennsylvania, where his
daughter was born, t® Milton township,
Knox county, Ohio.
Under the parental roof the Doctor spent
the days of his childhood and youth and in
the public schools acquired his education.
When the time came for him tO' make choice
of a vocation which he wished to follow as
a life work he determined to give his time
and energies to the practice of the healing
art and to the alleviation of liviman suffer-
ing. As a preparation for the profession he
entered the Jefferson Medical College, of
Philadelphia and on the completion of his
course was graduated with the class of 1882.
He then established an office and practiced
in Reedtown, Seneca county, until 1891,
when he removed to Mount Vernon to suc-
ceed Dr. Robinson, deceased. Here he has
since been an active practitioner. He was
not long in demonstrating his ability and a
liberal patronage was therefore accorded
him.
The Doctor was united in marriage to
Miss Emma Crumley, of Mount Vernon, a
daughter of Samuel Crumley, of Coshocton
county. The hospitality of the best homes
of this city is extended to them and the cir-
cle of their friends is constantly widening
as their acquaintances increased. Dr. Will-
iams is a member of the board of education
of Mount Vernon, to which position he was
appointed in 1899 for a three years' term.
The schools find in him a warm friend and
he also co-operates heartily in any movement
which he believes will be for the general
good along any line of progress. He is
well known in Masonic circles, is connected
with the commandery of Mount Vernon and
belongs to the mystic shrine in Columbus.
He is justly regarded as one oi the skillful
physicians of his locality. His knowledge
and ability in medical and surgical science
and all matters pertaining to the health of
the body, his intelligence in other lines of
study and his manly character alike entitle
him to esteem, and he is regarded with the
highest respect in this and other communi-
ties.
ROBERT C. ANDERSON.
Robert C. Anderson, a prominent con-
tractor and builder of Mount Vernon, was
born in Clinton township, Knox county,
Ohio, in 1850, a son of David McCord and
Hannah (Hamill) Anderson. Robert An-
derson, the grandfather, became a very early
settler of Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
and there spent the remainder of his life,
passing away in 1823. His wife bore the
maiden name of Jane Hay. Our subject's
paternal great-grandfather married a Miss
174
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
McCord, in whose honor McCord's Fort,
in Pennsylvania was named. Her family
was killed by Indians but she was saved by
being placed between two ticks. David Mc-
Cord Anderson, the father of him whose
name forms the caption of this article, was
born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in
1814, and when twenty-eight years of age
he left the place of his nativity and came
to KnO'X county, Ohio, locating on a fann
in Clinton township. There he made his
home until he was called to his final rest,
dying in 1897, when nearly eighty-fonr
years of age. He held many positions of
honor and trust in his township, and was
one of the leading and influential residents
of his locality. As a companion on the
journey of life he chose Hannah J. Hamill,
who was also born in 1814, a daughter of
John C. and Nancy (Stewart) Hamill, who
removed from near Parkesburg, Chester
county, Pennsylvania, to Clinton townships
Knox county, about 1820. The maternal
grandfather of our subject participated in
the war of 1812, and his older brothers took
part in the struggle which brought independ-
ence to the American colonies. The Ham-
ills were among the first and leading mem-
bers of the Upper Octorara Presbyterian
church in Chester county, Pennsylvania,
which was established in 1720 by Scotch-
Irish settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ander-
son were born five children, namely : Anna
Adeline, of Mount Vernon; John H., who,
with his wife, has had charge of the chil-
dren's home in this city since its inception;
Thomas M., of Clinton township, Knox
county; Robert C, the subject of this re-
view; and Elizabeth, the wife of G. W.
Bell, of Bangs, Ohio.
Robert C. Anderson was reared to man-
hood on his fathers farm in Clinton town-
ship, and after taking up the battle of life
on his own account he engaged in contract-
ing and building in Mount Vernon, which
occupation has claimed his time and atten-
tion for thirty-one years. In his chosen line
of endeavor he has indeed met with flatter-
ing success, and many of the finest buildings
of the city and surrounding country stand
as monuments to his thrift and ability. For
his wife he chose Miss Alice E. Wilkins, of
Clinton township, a daughter of Francis
and Emeline (Williams) Wilkins, also of
this township. Both the Williams and Wil-
kins families were among the early pioneer
settlers of Knox county. The union of Mr.
and Mrs. Anderson has been blessed with
three children, Walter Stewart, Clarence
Hamill and Stella May. Mr. Anderson is
recognized as one of the leading contractors
and one of the reliable business men of hi,s
locality and enjoys the high regard of all
with whom he has been brought in contact.
JOHN RICHERT.
John Richert is a prominent farmer of
Brown township and the property which
he owns stands in visible evidence of his life
industry and enterprise. He was born in
Stark county, Ohio, Augiist 23, 1839. His
father, George Richert, was a native of Al-
sace, France, now a province of Germany,
and when eighteen years of age he came to
America, settling in Stark comity, Ohio,
whence he removed to Brown township,
Knox county, where he is still living, at the
ripe old age of eighty-six years. He mar-
ried Barbara Limmans, a native of Ger-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
'75
many, and who crossed the Atlantic to the
new world when about twelve years of age.
She has now passed the eighty-second mile-
stone o<n life's journey and this venerable
couple enjoy in a high degree the warm re-
gard of friends and neighbors. They be-
came the parents of eleven children, all ofj
whom reached mature years and were mar-
ried, while ten of them are yet living.
John Richert, the eldest of the family,
was but a year old when he came to Knox
county. He was reared in Brown town-
ship, amid the wild scenes of frontier life
and pursued his education in the log school
house, furnished after the primitive man-
ner of the times. In 1859 he went to Cali-
fornia, making the journey by way of New
York, the Isthmus of Panama and Mexico.
At length he arrived at San Francisco,
whence he went to the mountains, where he
was engaged in mining for four years. He
was at Virginia City at the time of the first
great mining excitement in that town and
for a year was engaged in the butchering
business there. In 1864 he returned to
Knox county, but the following year again
went to the "Golden State," making the
journey by way of Graytowm. After reach-
ing the Golden Gate he once more proceeded
into the mountainous districts and was em-
ployed as a salesman in a dry goods store at
Holland Fleet for about one year.
On the expiration of that period Mr.
Richert returned to this county and pur-
chased one hundred acres of land, upon
which he now resides, paying four thousand
dollars for the place. There were no build-
ings upon the tract, but with characteristic
energy he began to improve his farm and
cultivate the fields. He has erected a
modern residence, substantial barns and
out-buildings and added all the acces-
sories which are found upon a model
farm, which indicate the progressive spirit
of the owner. As his financial resources
have increased he has added to the property
until he now has one hundred and eighty-
four acres, constituting one of the best
farms in -the township. His life has been
one of continuous industry. He has placed
his dependence in the substantial qualities
of earnest labor and perseverance and thus
he has continually advanced until he now
occupies a position among the best agricul-
turists of his community.
February 8, 1866, Mr. Richert was
united in marriage to Mrs. Sarah Oswalt, a
native of Jefferson township, Knox county,
and their home has been blessed with five
living children, namely : Sarah L., the wife
of W. A. Lifert; George, of Akron, Ohio,
who has been connected with the Goodrich
Rubber Works for over seven years ; Ed-
ward, who for five years has been in the em-
ploy of the same company in Akron ; Wal-
ter, a resident farmer of Brown township;
and Arthur, at home. They also lost one
child, Curtis S. All were born in Brown
township, and the family is a creditable one
to the parents. Mr. Richert has served as
treasurer of his township for seven years
and was trustee for nine years, his long con-
tinuance in these offices indicating unmistak-
ably his faithfulness to duty and his capa-
bility. He votes with the Democracy and
does all in his power for its advancement.
His religious belief is indicated by his mem-
bership in the Lutheran church. Almost his
entire life has been spent in Knox county
and therefore he has witnessed much of its
development as it has been transformed
from a wild region into one of the populous
176
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
counties of the state. He has ever borne his
part in the work of progress and improve-
ment and is a loyal citizen, enterprising-
farmer and an upright man he is widely and
favorably known.
FRED W. JONES.
Fred W. Jones, a prominait railroad
contractor and builder of Mount Vernon,
is a native son of this city. After attend-
ing the public schools here he matriculated in
the academy at Denmark, Iowa, where he
received excellent educational advantages.
In 1867 he became identified with railroad
work, first as a brakenian, and later served
as a baggage master, conductor and express
agent. In 1869 he came to Mount Vernon,
entering the office of the Cleveland, Akron
& Columbus Railroad with his father, Gos-
horn A. Jones, who was manager of the
road, and our subject was thus engaged un-
til 1 87 1, when he took his first contract in
railroad building. He was employed to
build an extension of the road from near
Millersburg to Black Creek, a distance of
ten miles, and in the following year he was
put in charge of the main survey department
of the road, having charge of the road bed,
bridges and construction on the northern
division of the Cleveland, Akron & Colum-
bus Railroad. After remaining with that
company for a time he became identified
with the Cleveland, Mount Vernon & Co-
lumbus road, now a part of the former sys-
tem.
In 1875 the headquarters of that road
was removed to Mount Vernon from Ak-
ron, where it had been located since 1869,
and Mr. Jones was put in charge of the en-
tire road, which position he continued to fill
until 1882, and in that year his father was
made receiver of the road. Since retiring
from that position our subject has been en-
gaged in railroad contracting and in this
undertaking he has indeed met with a very
high degree of success. He is a wide-awake,
progressive, active and energetic business
man, and his name is closely associated with
advancement along the line of his chosen
occupation.
Mr. Jones was married, in Holmes
county, Ohio, to Miss Mira Wholf, a daugh-
ter of David Wholf, of Pennsylvania, and
the}^ have five children, namely : Carrie, the
wife of O. Patterson, of Denison, Iowa; G.
A., a prominent railroad builder and con-
tractor of Mount Vernon; Mary B., at
home; Fred R., who is engaged in business
with his brother, G. A. Jones, business being
carried on under the name of Jones Broth-
ers; and Frank B., who is attending school.
The family enjoy the hospitality of the best
homes of the city, and their own pleasant
residence is the center of a cultured society
circle.
JAMES DICKSON.
Any work purporting to include the bi-
ographical and genealogical data pertaining
to the history of Wayne township, Knox
county, Ohio, would be incomplete if it did
not contain adequate mention of that sterl-
ing citizen and successful farmer, James
Dickson, and his antecedents and family
connections.
James Dickson, son of Samuel and Eliz-
abeth (Rood) Dickson, was born on the
farm where he now lives in Wavne town-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ship, April ii, 1845. After obtaining an
education in the public schools he gave his
time wholly to farming, in which he has
been proficient and successful. He joined
Thrall Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons,
No. 170, about 1881, and is well known in
Masonic circles throughout Knox county.
He is a member of the First Presbyterian
church, of Fredericktown, and as such has
done everything in his power to advance
its spiritual and material interests. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Bricker December 14, 1870,
and their only child, Ray B., was born Sep-
tember 14, 1879, '^"'i remains with his father
on the farm. Mrs. Dickson died in July,
1898.
Samuel Dickson, father of James Dick-
son, was born in the state of New York
August 19, 1794. On coming to Ohio he
located in Clinton township, Knox county,
and later he removed to Wayne township,
where he proved himself a progressive farm-
er and citizen and did much to clear up and
improve the country and to enhance its gen-
eral prosperity. That he was a man of much
innate patriotism is evidenced by the fact
that when a mere youth he becanae a soldier
under the stars and stripes and served his
country admirably in the war of 1812.
Elizabeth Rood, whom he married, was
born January 12, 1807, a daughter of Noah
and Mary (Merrick) Rood. She was a
devoted member of the Presbyterian church
and her life, which terminated July i, 1875,
was in every way worthy of emulation.
Noah Rood, grandfather of James Dick-
son in the maternal line, came to Ohio
from Redstone, Pennsylvania, at an early
date, and was the father of seven children,
named William, Samuel, Elizabeth. Mary,
Mariah, James and Anna.
MORGAN HAYS.
One of several citizens of Clay township,
Knox count}', Ohio, who were especially
conspicuous for their sterling worth and
who have passed away during recent years
was Morgan Hays, who was born May 21,
1821, and died April 22, 1900.
Morgan Hays was a native of Knox
county, Ohio, and was the youngest son of
James Hays, who was born in Pennsylvania
and married a Miss Bell, who was also a na-
tive of that state. When he was a small boy
death visited his family and made him moth-
erless, and he went to Coshocton county,
Ohio, and for a time lived with a brother
and with his sister Elizabeth, who had be-
come a Mrs. Boggs. His educational advan-
tages were limited to such as were afforded
by the public schools in vogue in his local-
ity at the time of his youth. He was mar-
vied October 16, 1849, when he was about
twenty-eight years old, and located in Har-
rison township, Knox county, where he lived
on one farm for six years and on another
farm for eleven years thereafter. He then re-
moved to Pleasant township and afterward
to Clay township, where he farmed until
1889 when he retired from active life and
bought the homestead in the village of Mar-
tinsburg, upon which Mrs. Hays now lives.
In politics he was a Democrat and as a
man of influence and enterprise he was well
known throughout the county.
Deborah A. (Breece) Hays, widow of
Morgan Hays, was born in Virginia May
18, 1828, a daughter of Abraham and Eliza
(Ward) Breece. Both of her parents died
in Coshocton county, Ohio, when she was
so young that she had little knowledge of
their family history, the youngest child hav-
178
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ing- been at the time of the death of her
mother only three months old. They left
thirteen children, of whom she was the
eighth in order of birth, and they found
homes with different families, she at the age
of twelve years, with Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel
Boggs, with whom she lived six years. Af-
ter leaving their roof she supported herself
two years at Mount Vernon. She bore her
late husband a son and a daughter — Leander
Hays, county commissioner of Knox coun-
ty, a biographical sketch of whom appears
in this work, and Elizabeth, of Gambier,
Ohio, who is the widow of Mark Workman.
Mrs. Hays has three grandchildren. Bertha
Hays, Howard Hays and Estella Workman.
The last named is the wife of Lewis Horn.
Mrs. Hays, who is a member of the Dis-
ciples' church, is a woman of high character
and many accomplishments and her circle of
acquaintances is large and extremely loyaJ
to her. She is one of the well-to-do women
of Knox county, owning a fine fann of
eighty acres, which, since her husband's
death she has managed with much ability.
HUGH L. GREEN.
If there is a farmer in Knox county,
Ohio, who may fittingly be termed a man
of public affairs it is the gentleman whose
name is above and who was born on the
farm on which he now lives, on section
eighteen, Harrison township, April 29, 1854.
Daniel Green, father of Hugh L. Green,
was born in Licking county, Ohio, and at
the age of six years was brought to Harri-
son township by his parents, William Green
and wife. That was as long ago as 1825,.
and he grew up and prospered, and died in
the township in 1895, in the seventy-seventh
year of his age. As a Whig he voted for
William Henry Harrison in 1840 and as z
Republican he cast his last vote for Will-
iam McKinley for governor of Ohio in 1893.
William Green, his father, was a native of
Maryland, and located in Harrison town-
ship seventy-seven years ago, taking up his
residence in the log house in which he ended
his days.
Daniel Green married Lydia Bowman, a
native of Virginia, who at the age of twelve
years was brought to Knox county by her
mother and stepfather, named Whitmer.
She died at the age of sixty-six' years. Dan-
iel and Lydia (Bowman) Green were the
parents of nine children, all of whom are
living, the youngest being now a little more
than forty years old. Hugh L. Green wa.s
the sixth of these children in order of birth.
He was reared on the farm which is now
his home and attended the common school
in the district in which it is included. Later
he was a student in the normal school at
Liscomb, Marshall county, Iowa, and fin-
ished his studies at Delaware, Ohio. He
taught school in Harrison and adjoining
townships for eighteen years, or until 1892,
since which time he has given his attention
to other matters. In 1880 he was appointed
to a clerical position in the census depart-
ment at Washington, in which he ranained
but a few months, and in 1890 he was made
census enumerator. In 1899 he was a can-
didate for a member of the Ohio state leg-
islature. He is a Republican of the stanch-
es t type, always alert and active in political
work, always devoted to the principles of the
party of Lincoln, of Garfield and of Mc-
Kinley, always patriotically solicitous for
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
the progress and prosperity of his township,
county, state and country, and is often found
as a delegate to the party conventions. He
is a member of Lodge No. 199, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Bladensburg, and is
identified with the Disciples' church in which
he fills the office of deacon. He was also a
member and was chairman of its finance
committee in 1898 at the time of the erec-
tion of the house of worship at "the grove."
His home farm consists of one hundred and
sixty acres and he owns another farm of
fifty-three acres in Clay township.
Mr. Green was married August 21, 1888,
to Miss Luella Martin, a daughter of George
R. and Agnes P. (Shiply) Martin, and a
native of Clinton township, Knox county.
Mrs. Green was the seventh born of a fam-
ily of nine children, all of whom grew to
maturity excepting one, who died in infancy.
She has borne her husband three children,
named Helen Lee, Ruth Elda and Ronald
Martin.
The family of Green, Oif which the sub-
ject of this sketch is a representative, is of
Welsh descent and for many generations has
been prominent in its native land. Daniel
Green, father of Hugh L. Green, was the
oldest of the family of ten children. In all
generations the Greens have given attention
to public affairs and Mr. Green's counsel is
sought on important matters of many kinds
by his fellow townsmen.
GEORGE A- WELKER, M. D.
Dr. George A. Welker is a prominent
f)hysiciaM of Ankenytown, for his careful
preparation, his broad knowledge of the sci-
ence of medicine and his practical skill in
applying it to the needs of suffering hu-
manity, have gained him precedence in his
chosen calling. He was born in Union
township, Kno'X county, December 10, 1839,
and is a representative of one of the oldest
families in this portion of . the state. His
great-grandfather came to Knox cotmty in
1807, bringing with him his family, but he
was not long permitted to enjoy his new
home as death came to him. He was of
German descent. His son, David Welker,
was a. native of Pennsylvania, and was a
young and single man when with his par-
ents he came to the Buckeye state. He mar-
ried Miss McMillan, who was of Irish de-
scent and their son was Paul Welker, the
father of our subject, who was born in
Union township, Knox county, in 1813.
After arriving at mature years he was
there married to Christina Ankeny, a native
of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania,
whence she came to Knox county at about
the age of fifteen years. She was a daugh-
ter of Hon. George Ankeny, one of the hon-
ored early settlers of Berlin township, in
whose honor the village of Ankeny was^
named. By trade he was a blacksmith and
there carried on business with creditable suc-
cess. A man of strong character, he was
recognized as a leading and influential citi-
zen of the community and was prominent in
politics, serving as a micmber of the state
legislature at the time of his death. His
political support was given tO' the Democ-
racy and his labors contributed largely to
its growth and success. He passed away
when about fifty-five years of age. The fam-
ily from which he sprung was of Dutch line-
age.
After his marriage Paul Welker began
i8o
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
farming on his own account in Union town-
ship and there devoted his energies to agri-
cuUural pursuits throughout his remaining
days. For about thirty years he served as
justice of the peace, proving a most capable
officer and at the age of sixty-nine years
he was called to his final rest. His wife long
survived him and died when about eighty
years of age. They were the parents of
four children, of whom the Doctor is the
eldest, the others being David, Sylvester
and Mary B.
Dr. Welker was only four years old
when he was taken tO' Howard township
and there he was reared and educated, at-
tending the district schools and also the
academy in Millwood. He began the study
of medicine at the age of nineteen under the
direction of the firm of McMann & Camp-
bell at Millwood. They directed his read-
ing for two years and after attaining his
majority he became a student in the medical
department of the State University of Mich-
igan, at Ann Arbor, continuing in that in-
stitution for six months. He then began
practice, which he successfully followed for
twelve years, when he entered the medical
department of the University of Wooster, in
which he was graduated. In September,
1866, he came to Ankenytown, but for two
years previously he practiced at Greersville,
and for two' and one-half years at Millwood.
He has been established in his profession in
this place for thirty-five years and is one of
the oldest practicing physicians of the coun-
ty. He has kept in touch with modern meth-
ods of progress and has ever enjoyed a large
and growing patronage. He owns a good
farm of one hundred acres, which is well im-
proved and his interest in agricultural pur-
suits is indicated by his membership in the
Grange, of which he is treasurer.
The Doctor was married in 1863 to Miss
Emma Giffin, a native of Berlin township
and a daughter of Lauriston and Lucia
Gifiin. They now have twoi children : Nan-
nie B., the wife of Henry B. Adams; and
Harry B., who married Minnie Martin, and
resides upon his father's farm.
At one time the Doctor was a member of
the North Central Medical Society. He is
now associated with the Masonic fraternity,
belonging to the lodge in Fredericktown. He
is also a member of the Christian church and
is serving as one of its trustees and is active
and influential in its work. Of the Demo-
cratic party he is a supporter and for two
terms he served as coroner of the county,
while for one term he was treasurer of his
township. As a citizen, friend and member
of the medical profession he ranks high. His
work has been of great benefit to his fellow
men and his success is a merited reward of
thorough equipment and conscientious
ability.
JAMES M. CANNON.
James Madison Cannon a son of Zeph-
aniah and Matilda (Painter) Cannon, was
born in Clay township, Knox county, Ohio,
May 15, 1843, 3-"d resided with his parents
until nineteen years of age, when, at a call
by Abraham Lincoln for troops his patri-
otism became fully aroused and he enlisted
in Company E, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, commanded by Captain Aaron Chan-
nell. Captain, now General, Otis succeeded
to the command after the death of Channell,
OE KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
and they were immediately sent to the front,
the company forming a part of Colonel
White's regiment. Mr. Cannon took part
in about twenty-two battles and skirmishes,
the more important ones being Antietam,
Clpyd Mountain, Winchester, Cedar Creek
and Lynchburg. He was with Colonel Av-
ery for a year in front of Petersburg or until
the surrender and evacuation of that place.
He was also present at Appomattox Court
House when the middle section of the Army
of the Cumberland surrendered to the Army
of the Potomac.
Returning home at the close of the war
Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Margaret
Painter, on January i, 1867. She was bom
in Fallsburg township. Licking county,
Ohio, and they are the parents of eleven
children, namely: Melissa; William, de-
ceased in infancy ; Edna Elnora ; Jacob E. ;
Gertrude A., deceased; John Wesley; Sadie;
Callie ; Anna F. ; Zephaniah M. ; and Charles
Albert. Politically Mr. Cannon is a Repub-
lican and is highly respected by all who
know him.
ANDREW BECHTEL.
Andrew Bechtel, who is now serving as
township trustee in Berlin township and is
there engaged' in farming, is a native of
Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in
Huntington county, on the 20th of Decem-
ber, 1829. He is the eldest of the ten chil-
dren of Peter and Elizabeth (Snowbarger)
Bechtel, who were also natives of the Key-
stone state, the father having been born in
Huntington county, while the mother's birth
occurred in Bedford county. They had six
sons and four daughters. The father was
a farmer by occupation and followed that
pursuit throughout his entire life. He died
in the place of his nativity at the age of sev-
enty-eight years, while his wife passed way
at the age of eighty-six.
In Bedford county, Pennsylvania, An-
drew Bechtel spent the days of his boyhood,
his time being ocupied with play and work
and the duties of the schoolroom. He re-
mained at home until his marriage, which
important event in his life occurred in 1852,
Miss Elizabeth Brumbaugh becoming his
wife. She was born in Bedford county and
died in 1861. Of her four children, three
are living — Simon, Jackson and Nancy Jane,
while Mary Ann- is now deceased. For his
second wife Mr. Bechtel chose Elizabeth
Frederick and unto them have been born
four children, the living being Lewis F.,
Sarah E. and Minnie C. They lost one son,
Isaac.
In 1853, Mr. Bechtel arrived in Berlin
township, Knox county, locating in the east-
ern part of the township, where he remained
for twenty and a half years. He then came
to his present residence and here he owns
and operates one hundred and fifty-seven
acres of rich land, which yields to him good
harvests in return for the care and labor he
bestows upon the fields. He erected his res-
idence here and has made many other sub-
stantial improvements, which add both to
the value and attractive appearance of the
place. He follows general farming and
stock raising and upon his place are seen
excellent grades of stock.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bechtel
has always been a Republican, never failing
to cast his ballot for the men and measures
of that party. His fellow townsmen, rec-
ognizing his worth and ability, elected him
I82
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
township trustee in 1900 for a term of three
years. He belongs to the German Baptist
church, is one of it» trustees and in its work
is deeply interested, as is evidenced by his
co-operation therein. A public-spirited cit-
izen he accords his support to all measures
which he believes will be for the general
good and as a man and citizen he is ac-
knowledged to be one of the most worthy
representatives of the community.
ISAAC LYON JACKSON.
Almost an octogenarian, Isaac L. Jack-
son has spent his entire life on the farm
where he is now living, his birth having
there occurred on the 25th of March, 1823.
He has since been identified with the work
of agriculture, which Washington said "is
the most honorable as well as the most use-
ful business to which man can devote his
energies." He is of English and Scotch
extraction and is descended from good old
Revolutionary stock. His paternal grand-
father, Benjamin Jackson, was a native of
Morris county, New Jersey, and when the
colonists fought for freedom he became a
major in the American army and valiantly
aided in the cause of independence. He
was a bloomer by trade, and, living near
Valley Forge at the time the American
troops were there encamped, he was em-
ployed in making chevaux de frise, a large
pronged iron to cast in the river in order to
obstruct the stream and render it unnavi-
gable. He married Abigail Mitchell, who
was also a native of Morris coimty, New
Jersey, and some years after the removal
of his son Ziba to Ohio he also came to
Knox county and settled in Morris town-
ship.
Ziba Jackson, the father of our subject,
was born in Morris county. New Jersey,
February 2, 1777, and spent his boyhood
and youth in his native state. He began his
business career there as a farmer, and for
a companion and helpmate on the journey
of life he chose Miss Phoebe Lyon, who
was born in Sussex county, that state, Feb-
ruary 17, 1782, her parents being Abraham
and Phoebe (Kitchen) Lyon, who were also
natives of Sussex county and belonged to an
old family there, the ancestors coming from
England at an early epoch in American his-
tory. Abraham Lyon was a captain in the
Revolutionary war, and his sword, now in
possession of Judson Trowbridge, of Michi-
gan, was sent to the family reunion recently
held in this county. Both Mr. and Mrs.
L>x>n died in New Jersey.
Two of their children were born to Ziba
and Phoebe Jackson in the state of their
nativity, and with his little family he started
westward in 1805. Being a poor man he
had to remain in Pennsylvania for eighteen
months in order to earn the funds necessary
for the completion of the journey. In 1807
he again turned his face toward the setting
sun, arriving in Knox county, Ohio, in the
spring of that year. We of the twentieth
century can scarcely realize what were the
conditions of the country at that time.
Nearly all of the land was still in possession
of the government and was largely cov-
ered with a dense growtli of timber. There
were marshy districts and here and there,
at rare intervals, a blue line of smoke rising
from amid the trees indicated that a settle-
ment had been made by some brave frontier-
man and the work of improvement had been
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
183
begun. Mr. Jackson purchased a small
place near the Salem church in Wayne
township, and the first year cleared a little
patch of ground and planted some corn.
Steadily he continued the work of develop-
ment, planted an orchard and made other
improvements, but later he sold that prop-
erty and removed to what is now known as
the old David Ball farm, also in Wayne
township. In 1814 he traded that property
for the present Jackson homestead upon
which our subject now resides. He there
built a log cabin and' in the spring of 1815
removed his family to- his new home, where
he resided up to the time of his death,
which occurred in 1848, when he was in his
seventy-second year. During the year of
18 1 2 he served his country as first sergeant,
and in the paths of peace he also performed
an active work for his native land by carry-
ing civilization to the frontier and aiding in
reclaiming the wild land for the improve-
ment of the white race. He was a Demo-
crat in politics and for several years he was
trustee of his township, proving a very
capable officer. His wife passed away July
II, 1836.
Isaac L. Jackson was one of a family of
se\-en children born tO' this worthy and hon-
ored pioneer couple, but only two of the
number are now living, the other being
Chalon, of Lynn county, Missouri, now in
his eighty-seventh year. Amid the wild
scenes of frontier life Isaac L. Jackson was
reared, sharing with the family in the hard-
ships and trials which are the inevitable lot
of pioneer people, but there were certain
pleasure to be enjoyed that are unknown at
the present time, and thus the years were
checkered with work and happiness. In the
pr.milive schools of the time he pursued his
education, and on the 13th of April, 1848,
there occurred an important event in his life
— his marriage to Miss Sarah A. Jackson,
a native of Knox county and a daughter oi
Ephraim and Nancy Jackson, and who was
formerly his pupil. They began their
domestic life on a part of his father's farm,
of which he had charge from his twenty-
first year, receiving a share of the crops.
Upon his father's death he purchased the
place from the other heirs and has since
made his home thereon, through all the
years keeping his land under a high state of
cultivation and making many improve-
ments, so that the property has ever been
valuable and attractive.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson
was blessed with seven children, of whom
five are yet living: Mary E., the deceased
wife of Theodore Haines; Sarah E., the
wife of William H. Gordon, of Miorris
township; George F., of Oklahoma; Nancy
S., the wife of Dr. M. F. Cole, a practicing
physician of Columbus; Albert M., de-
ceased; Amanda Anna, the wife of G. M.
Sipe, an attorney of Utica, Ohio; and Eva
B., who' married C. K. Conrad, oi Mount
Vernon. The mother died in 1877, and Mr.
Jackson was afterward married, in Dela-
ware, Ohio, in 1878, to Mrs. Sarah J. Con-
verse, nee Douglass. Her death occurred
in 1890, and February 16, 1892, Mr. Jack-
son wedded Miss Anna Moffit, a native of
Coshocton county, Ohio, and daughter of
Rev. A. S. Moffit, of the Northern Ohio
Conference.
Mr. Jackson has been very successful in
his farming operations and is now the owner
of three farms, aggregating three hundred
and twenty-five acres of land. He still
gives his personal supervision to the culti-
1 84
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
vation of the home farm, and the rental
from his place and the harvests garnered
here in Morris township supply him with
an excellent income wh'ich furnishes him
with all the comforts of life. He is a stanch
Republican, and though he has never been
a politician in the sense of office seeking, he
has served for thirty years as justice of the
peace and has "won golden opinions from
all sorts of people" by his absolute fairness
and impartiality. He has served for several
terms as trustee, assessor, clerk and con-
stable. These offices have been conferred
upon him from time to time without his
solicitation by his fellow citizens, who rec-
ognize his worth and ability. He is a mem-
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, in
which he has for many years held office.
No trust reposed in him has ever been be-
trayed in the slighest degree. He has ever
been found true and faithful and his life
has been characterized by marked fidelity
to duty. In the long years of his residence
here he has become widely known and his
friends are numbered among the rich and
the poor,' the old and the young.
HON. COLUMBUS DELANO.
True biography has a nobler purpose
than mere fulsome eulogy. The historic
spirit faithful to the record, the discerning
judgment unmoved by prejudice and uncol-
ored by enthusiasm, are as essential in giv-
ing the life of the individual as in writing the
history of a people. Indeed, the ingenuous-
ness of the former picture is even more vital,
because the individual is the national unit;
and if the unit be justly estimated the com-
plex organism will become correspondingly
intelligible. The world to-day is what the
leading men of the last generation have
made it From the past has come the legacy
of the present. Art, science, statesmanship
and government are accumulations. They
constitute an inheritance upon which the
present generation have entered, and the
advantages secured from such) a vast be-
queathment depend entirely upon the fidel-
ity with which is conducted the study of
the lives O'f the principal actors who have
transmitted the legacy. This is especially
true of those whose influence has passed
beyond the confines of locality and per-
meated the national character.
To such a careful study are the life, char-
acter and services of Columbus Delano pre-
eminently entitled, not only by the student
of biography but by every citizen who,
guided by the past, would in the present
wisely build for the future. To have at-
tained to the extreme fulness of years and
to have one's ken broadened to a compre-
hension of all that has been accomplished
within the flight of many days, is of itself
sufficient to render a detailed consideration
of such a life in a work of this order; but in
the case at hand there are more pertinent,
more distinguished elements — those of use-
fulness in positions of high public trust and
confidence, of marked intellectual ability, of
exalted honor, of broad charity — which lift
high in reverence the subjective personality
of this veteran statesman, who in his de-
clining days rested secure in the esteem of
those among whom so many years of his
life had been passed, his beautiful country-
seat, Lakehome, near Mount Vernon, Ohio,
being a most fit abiding place for one who
thus sought release from the pressing cares
M
'0^
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
and responsibilities attending a long and
distinguished career as an eminent lawyer,
an able business man and one intimately
identified with the governmental affairs of
both state and nation.
As the name implies, the lineage of the
Delano family traces to French origin,
through the original American representa-
tive. Philip Delano, who came hither from
Holland in the Fortune, the first vessel that
landed at Plymouth Rock after the ]\Iay-
flower, and thus the family have been identi-
fied with the annals of the nation from the
early colonial epoch, contributing true and
noble men and women to each successive gen-
eration through the long intervening years.
Columbus Delano was born in Shore-
ham, Vermont, on the 5th of June, 1809, be-
ing the son of James and Lucinda (Bate-
man) Delano. His father died when he
was about six years of age, and thereupon
he was committed to the care of his uncle.
Luther Bateman, with whom he removed
to Mount Vernon, Ohio, in the year 1817.
It will thus be noted that Air. Delano was
but a lad of eight years when he came to
the locality which afterward continued to
be his home and to whose development and
substantial upbuilding he contributed in so
large a measure. Here was his home for
more than a half a century, and these years
w^ere to him full of ceaseless toil and en-
deavor and of distinguished honors. Very
early in life Mr. Delano was thrown upon
his own resources, and even then did he rise
to the exigencies of the situation with that
same self-reliance and self-respect which
have been characteristic of his entire career.
He made good use of such educational fa-
cilities as were available, and his keen and
alert mentalitv enabled him to derive more
from little than perhaps the average person
could accomplish. Before attaining his ma-
jority he had given definition to the course
which he should pursue in life, having de-
termined to adopt the profession of law,
and bent every energy toward preparing
himself for the practice of the same. In
the meantime he was compelled to find such
incidental occupation as would enable him
to meet the current expenses, so that his
time was fully filled and his leisure moments
few and far between. In 1830 he became
a student in the law office of Hosmer Cur-
tis, of Mount Vernon, and under the effec-
tive preceptorage implied continued until
183 1, when he realized his ambition in be-
ing admitted to the bar of the state. As
has been said of him by another biographer :
"His ambition, talents, excellent habits and
exemplary deportment gave assurance of
success and distinction in his chosen profes-
sion, and his early promise as a lawyer was
fully realized in later years. He became
eminent as an advocate and criminal lawyer,
and no less so as a criminal prosecutor, for
soon after he was admitted to the bar he be-
came, by popular election, the prosecuting
attorney of Knox county. The prosecuting
attorney became an elective officer by act
of the legislature in 1832, and Mr. Delano,
although a Whig, or rather a National Re-
publican, was elected to that' office in a
county then decidedly and strongly Demo-
cratic, which shows that he was then very
popular with both parties."
The safety of the republic depends not
so much upon the methods and measures as
upon the manhood from whose deep
sources all that is precious and permanent
in life must at least proceed. Throughout
his entire career Air. Delano showed himself
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
to be of stern integrity and honesty of pur-
pose, despising all unworthy or questiona-
ble means of securing success in any under-
taking or for any purpose, or of promoting
his own advancement in any direction,
whether political or otherwise. The tongue
of calumny has been perforce silenced and
the malvolence of detraction has not as-
sumed to assail his private reputation. It
is our duty to mark our appreciation of such
a man — a man true in every relation of life,
faithful to every trust, a statesman diligent
in the service of his country and seeking
only the public good. His character was
of the sturdy American sort, and his patriot-
ism was stalwart, and he had the strongest
attachment to our free institutions and was
ever willing to make any personal sacrifice
for their preservation.
Continuing the tracing of his public ca-
reer, we find that after a three years' service
as prosecuting attorney of Knox county he
was elected as his own successor, but that
he resigned the position shortly after enter-
ing his second term, finding that his increas-
ing and important civil practice placed ex-
acting demands on his undivided attention.
His devotion to the profession, his thor-
oughness and integrity as a lawyer and his
uniform success as an advocate soon placed
him in a foremost position as a member of
the Ohio bar, then justly distinguished for
the great ability of its personnel. It was
but to be expected that such a man would
be uncompromising in his opposition to hu-
man slavery, and one who would bring to
bear the full force of his strong individu-
ality when this institution threatened the
integrity of the nation. In the troublous
days attending the war of the Rebellion he
was a stalwart exponent of the views of the
Whig party, and, while seeking no official
preferment, his influence was thrown act-
ivel}' intO' supporting the principles and poli-
cies of this organization. As has been said
in this connection, "surrounded by a cordon
of Democratic constituencies in the immedi-
ate vicinity of his congressional district,
there seemed but little hope of his popular
preferment," However, in the year 1844,
without solicitation on his part, Mr. Delano
was placed in nomination as the Whig can-
didate for congress from his district. The
contest was vigorous, and the personal
strength and popularity of our subject were
most clearly shown in the results of the
election, since he secured a majority of
twelve votes over the Hon. Caleb J. McNul-
ty, a Deinocratic politician of marked pop-
ularity and extensive resurces and power.
The emphatic endorsement thus accorded
Mr. Delano is evinced by no one fact more
perfectly than in that at the same election
the Democratic candidate for governor car-
ried the identical district by six hundred
majority. The original Whig candidate
from the district comprising the counties of
Knox, Licking and Franklin was Hon. Sam-
uel White, of Licking, who had effected the
canvass of a portion of the district when a
sudden illness finally terminated in his
death. He had been considered the ablest
and most popular Whig in the district, and
he and his opponent were well matched as
orators before promiscuous assemblies. The
death of Mr. White demanded a careful de-
liberation on the part of the leaders of the
Whig forces in the district, since the emer-
gency was somewhat difficult to meet. ]\Ir.
Delano was complimented as being finally
selected as the most eligible man in the dis-
trict to conduct the campaign against Col-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
[87
onel McNulty. Each of the opposing candi-
dates feh that he had a foeman worthy of
his steel, and the canvass was a most spir-
ited one and the issue one of doubt, as is
manifest in the fact that the election was
so close that the result was not known until
returns had been received from the last
township in; the district, when the vic-
tory was found to be Mr. Delano's, who
thus took his seat as a member of the
twenty-ninth congress. In this congress
he served with signal fidelity to the
interests of his state and his constitu-
ents, recognizing the important charac-
ter of the trust conferred and assum-
ing the duties involved with all the poten-
tiality of his sterling and resourceful nature.
He served as a member of the committee on
invalid pensions, and his speech depreciat-
ing the Mexican war policy was a most vig-
orous one and so cogent in its argument as
to demand the consideration of all, without
regard to party lines. This speech was
widely circulated and did much to establish
his reputation throughout the nation. In
the Whig convention of 1846 Mr. Delano
was a candidate for governor of Ohio, but
failed of nomination by two votes, his suc-
cessful! competitor for this position being
Seabury Ford.
In 1850 JMr. Delano retired from ac-
ti\-e practice of the legal profession, in
which he had attained to so signal priority,
and thereupon removed to the city of New
York, where he became a member of the
banking firm of Delano, Dunlevy & Com-
pany, and where he was concerned in the
conducting of a very successful business for
a term of five years, after which he returned
to his old and cherished home at Mount Ver-
non, and here turned his attention to exten-
sive agricultural operations a. id; to other
business interests of important character.
The interest which Mr. Delano had
shown in matters political hid shown no
signs of waning, and he was rery naturally
soon brought into prominence. His politi-
cal adherency had continued with the Re-
publican party, the normal successor of the
Whig organization, and in i860 he was a
delegate to the national convention, in Chi-
cago, which nominated Abraham Lincoln
for the presidency ; and he rendered valiant
service in behalf of the martyred president,
seconding his nomination in a speech alive
with pajtriotic utterances and earnest en-
dorsement of "the man who could split rails
and maul Democrats." He took an active
part in the ensuing campaign. In 1861, at
the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion, a
recognition of Mr. Delano's stalwart patriot-
ism and marked executive ability was ac-
corded in his appointment as commissary
general of Ohio, in which office he served
with signal efficiency until the time when the
general government assumed the subsistence
of the state troops. In the succeeding year
he became a candidate in convention for
the United States Senate, and on one ballot
lacked but two votes of the nomination. In
1863 official preferment again came to Mr.
Delano in his election to the house of rep-
resentatives in the Ohio legislature, in which
body he became prominent through his well
directed efforts in shaping the important
legislation of the state during the last two
years of the war, having been chairman of
the committee which determined upon the
question relative to the voting of the sol-
diers in the field.
Mr. Delano was chairman of the Ohio
delegation in the national Republican con-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
vention held at Baltimore in 1864, and here
again it was his to render a zealous support
to President Lincoln, for whose nomination
he labored earnestly. Within the same year
he was elected a member of the thirty-ninth
congress, in which he served as chairman of
the committee on claims. He was nomin-
ated as his own successor in the fortieth
congress, but refused to become again\ a
candidate from his district. Of his work
in congress we can not do better than to in-
corporate a summing up which has hitherto
been made. "As a legislator he was op-
posed to free trade, and advocated a pro
tective tariff. He was strongly opposed to
the extravagant claims of railroad compan-
ies for land grants and government subsi-
dies. His views were regarded as most im-
portant on questions of tariff, of taxes and
of public debt. To his speech of July 24,
1866, was given the credit of carrying the
tariff bill of that session against what has
been considered ^the sense of the house."
When President Grant became president
of the United States- he conferred upon our
honored subject the appointment as com-
missioner of internal revenue, and in his
administration O'f the affairs of this offfce
he showed the same fidelity and the same
disregard for fear or favor as derogating
against such fidelity that had ever been typ-
ical of his services in positions of public
trust. It demanded fortitude and inflexi-
bility of principle to bring about the needed
reforms in this department of public service,
and it will stand tO' the perpetual credit of
Mr. Delano that he effected a thorongh re-
organization of the department and cor-
rected many abuses which had been held as
privileges by certain powerful organizations
which preyed upon the nation. In the year
1870 there came to> Mr. Delano a fit-
ting crown to his zealous endeavors in
the service of his country, since in that
year he became a member of the cabi-
net of President Grant, succeeding Gov-
ernor J. D. Cox as secretary of the
interior. This conspicuous and import-
ant office he filled with signal ability for
a termi of five years, when he tendered his
resignation in order to devote his attention
to private pursuits, doubtless feeling that he
was entitled to> respite from public service
after the lapse of so many years. This res-
ignation was accepted by the president with
expressions of satisfaction with the manner
in which Mr. Delano had performed the
duties devolving upon him in the incum-
bency, and with manifestations of regret in
view of his desire to retire from public life.
After his retirement from the dignified
cabinet office of secretary of the interior,
Mr. Delano returned to the place which for
more than seventy years he had delighted to
call his home. His beautiful country seat,
Lakehome, situated about one mile south
of Mount Vernon, is one of the finest in
the entire state, and tO' its cultivation and
improvement he devoted his attention with
that energy which was so characteristic of
the man. A more ideal home than this can
scarcely be imagined, and thei stately de-
mesne, with its fifteen acres of lawn, with
its noble trees, winding drives and opulence
of floral tributes, can not fail to appeal to
the sentiment of any beholder, while the
utilitarian aspect is equally insistent in com-
manding attention, the great area of five
hundred acres of well tilled fields or far-
stretching meadows adding to the pastoral
charms of Lakehome, while the improve-
ments and modern accessories are of such
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
189
extent and character as to make the place
a veritable model. Mr. Delano did much
to advance the agricultural and stock rais-
ing interests of the locality, and in his ven-
erable age he did not abate his active con-
cern. Another has written as follows
touching the declining years of the hon-
ored subject of this memoir: "There, amid
the elegance, the quiet, the contentment of
a well ordered home, among cherished
friends of earlier and later times, he en-
joyed the philosophic composure, the sage-
like dignity, the leisure, the retirement be-
coming one whose years of activity, of suc-
cess, of honor have so largely outnumbered
those of mankind generall}', whose ways of
life ha\-e been such that his retrospections
would be pleasurable, be recalled with de-
light and cherished with complacency." So
noble and well spent a life manifestly mer-
its immunity from all that is implied in
the beautiful litany words, "In any way
affected the mind, body or estate," and Co-
lumbus Delano, the veteran statesman, the
patriot, the noble citizen, commanded the
respect and veneration of all who had cog-
nizance of his fruitful and worthy life.
In all that concerned the well being and
the advancement of his fellow men Mr. De-
lano maintained an abiding interest, and this
was an interest not only of words but of
deeds. As success attended his efforts he
had recognition of the higher duties which
were imposed upon him in its attaining and
the practical philanthropy which he showed
stands in evidence of the sympathetic na-
ture, the charity of judgment and the earn-
est devotion of the man. Temperate and the
friend of temperance in all things, the sup-
porter of education and good morals, the
schools, colleges and churches always found
in him an advocate. A zealous churchman,
he was for many years one of the wardens
of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church
in Mount Vernon, being such at the time of
his death, and to his beneficence the pres-
ent prosperity of the parish is in a large
measure due. He always maintained a
lively interest in the well-known church in-
stitution, Kenyon College, at Gambler,
Ohio, and was for many years a member of
its board of trustees. To this school he gave
a munificent bequest in a fund for the en-
dowment of the grammar department, and
the institution conferred upon him' the hon-
ary degree of doctor of laws. He also pro-
vided for the erection of Delano Hall at
this school.
After retiring from public life Mr. De-
lano did not abate his interest in the issues
and affairs of the day, but kept closely in
touch with all questions touching the pros-
perity of the nation. His advice was sought
in regard tO' the provisions of the McKinley
tariff bill, and incidentally he devoted much
time and labor to the interest of protection,
especially on wool, and until within a few
years past was president of the National
Wool Growers' Association.
On the 14th of July, 1834, was solemn-
ized the marriage of Columbus Delano and
Elizabeth, the daughter of M. Martin and
Clara (Sherman) Leavenworth, of Mount
Vernon, Ohio. Of their children one is liv-
ing, Elizabeth, who was born in 1839, and
who is the wife of Rev. John G. Ames, of
Washington, District of Columbia.
On Friday morning, October 23, 1896,
amid the scenes hallowed by long and ten-
der associations, came the final summons
to one of nature's noblemen, for, full of years
and well earned honors, Columbus Delano
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
entered into that eternal rest to which he
had looked in triumphant faith. The silver
cord of life was loosed suddenly and at a
time when he was giving- directions in re-
gard to his affairs and preparing for the du-
ties of the day. The life infinite took on a
new glory when thus was set the seal upon
the mortal lips. The cause of death was
heart failure, superinduced by advanced age.
Columbus Delano lived, labored and died
like the truly great man that he was, and
the solemn strains of the Nunc Dimittis was
never intoned as a requiem to a more faith-
ful and noble servant. His work was done,
and the merging of the mortal into immor-
tality was but the consistent end — thus bear-
ing its measure of reconciliation and conso-
lation to those most deeply bereaved.
ALBERT G. BLACK.
Albert G. Black, who wore the blue in
the Union army during the Civil war, is now
successfully engaged in farming on section
17, Jefiferson township. His entire life has
been passed in Knox county, his birth hav-
ing occurred in Union township, October
16, 1840. He is the seventh child and
fourth son of Andrew and Sarah (Huff)
Black, under whose roof his boyhood days
were happily passed. He acquired his edu-
cation in the district schools of the neigh-
borhood and was trained in the work of
the fields and meadows, assisting in the la-
bors of the home farm until 1862, when he
could no longer content himself with farm
work and enlisted in Company H, Twen-
tieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which
he remained for three years as a private.
He took part in a number of very important
engagements, including the battles of Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, luka and the
siege of Vicksburg, being present when the
Confederates surrendered that city. He
was never wounded or taken prisoner and
through his three years' service was only off
duty for one week. His was indeed a cred-
itable military record, marked by unfalter-
ing fidelity to the cause he espoused.
When the war was over Mr. Black re-
turned to his home and engaged in general
farming in Union township. He has also
taught school in the same township, has op-
erated a threshing machine and engaged in
the manufacture of cider, but all these have
been supplemental tO' his principal work of
tilling the soil. In 1900 he took up his
abode on his present farm in Jefferson
township, where he owns and operates
eighty acres of rich land, and the thrifty ap-
pearance of the place indicates tO' the passer-
by his cai'eful supervision.
On the 7th of December, 1872, Mr.
Black was married to Miss Nancy J.
Slaight, a native of Knox county, born in
Union township, and a. daug"hter of Henry
G. and Lovina (Statlar) Slaight, who were
early settlers of Knox county, emigrating
from New York to the Buckeye state.
They were the parents of ten children, of
whom Mrs. Black was the second in order
of birtli. By her marriage she has become
the mother of five children : Nellie M., the
wife of Charles Snow, of Danville, by
whom she has one son, Harold G. ; Henry
E., Ida C, H. ^^•endall P. and Willard B.,
all at home excepting H. Wendall P., who
is in California. In his political views Mr.
Black has always been a Republican, and
warmly advocates the principles of the
party, although he has never sought or de-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
191
sired public office. His attention has mainly
been given tO' his business affairs, and his
enterprise and unflagging industry have
made him the owner of a desirable prop-
ertv.
NICHOLAS St. CLAIR TOLAXD, M. D.
It is not probable that many physicians
in Knox county, Ohio, more fully realize
the popular conception of the duties of the
family doctor than Nicholas St. Clair To-
land, of Martinsburg, Clay township, who
has ministered to the medical and surgical
necessities of the people of that vicinity
since 1S67.
Doctor Toland was born in Carroll
county, Ohio, December 8, 1832. Benja-
min F. Toland, his father, was born in
Maryland, and was of Irish descent. He
married Martha Denbow, also a native of
Maryland, but of English extraction, and
soon afterward removed to Ohio. Doctor
Toland, the youngest of his parents' chil-
dren, was reared in his native county and
received his primary education in the dis-
trict school near his home, later attending
a special school at Oldtown, Ohio. At the
age of eighteen years he went to Tuscarawas
county, Ohio, and three years later he be-
gan teaching school, and thus he obtained
means with which tO' pay for his medical
education. He began his professional stud-
ies in the fall of 1856 at Ncav Philadelphia,
Ohio, and in due course of events attended
lectures at the medical department of the
University of Wooster. He began active
practice at Bakerville, Coshocton county,
Ohio, in the spring of 1858 and remained
there with considerable success until the fall
of 1864, when he removed to Gnadenhut-
ten, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where he re-
cruited a company which became known as
Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-
fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
in which he did creditable service as first
lieutenant until the close of the war, having
been mustered out with that rank. In 1867
he resumed his professional work at Mar-
tinsburg, KnO'x county, where he has prac-
ticed continuously to the present time. He
is the oldest practicing physician in his
vicinity and perhaps the oldest in the county
in point of unbroken service.
Doctor Toland in ,1858 married Miss
Rosana Simmons, now deceased, who' bore
him eight children, but only one is now liv-
ing— Efiie J., the wife of J. Mitchell, of
Falls City, Nebraska. Doctor Toland's
present wife was Miss Martha Mozelle
Ewart. The Doctor keeps alive recollec-
tions of his experiences of war by member-
ship with the Grand Army of the Republic,
he having filled all the chairs in Updyke
Post, No. 486, of Martinsburg, which he
has served as post surgeon since its organi-
zation. He is a member of the Disciples'
church, of Martinsburg, and is well known
throughout Knox county as a prominent
and influential Republican.
GEORGE T. MURPHY.
George T. Murphy, who is engaged in
the insurance business in Batemantown, is
an honored veteran of the Civil war and has
been a prominent factor in public affairs,
holding several of-ficial positions, in which
he manifested the same loyalty to duty and
■192
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
the right that characterized his army Ufe
when he followed the starry banner of the
nation upon southern battlefields. He lis
numbered among Knox county's native
sons, his birth having occurred in Middle-
bury township, April 7, 1844. His grand-
father, Abner Murphy, was born in Penn-
sylvania, and at a very early epoch in the
development of central Ohio located in Mid-
dlebury township, his home being in the
midst of the vernal forest. There he cleared
a tract of land, developed a good farm and
reared his family of Iten children, all of
w^hom reached adult age. Only one, how-
ever, is now living, Enos, of Middlebury
township. The fifth of the family was
Bazil ]vlurphy. the father of our subject.
He was born in the Keystone state in 18 12
and with his parents came to Knox county
in his boyhood. He was reared and mar-
ried in Middlebury township and located on
a farm within its borders, devoting his en-
tire life to the raising of the cereals best
adapted to this climate. His political views
in early life were in accord with the prin-
ciples of the Whig party, and when new
issues arose before the people he became a
Republican. He was a helpful and zealous
member of the Methodist Episcopal church
and held the offices of steward and class-
leader. The greater part of his life was
passed in Middlebury township, and he died
in 1896, in the eighty-fifth year of his age.
In early manhood he had married Abigal
Johnson, a native of Middlebury township
and a daughter of James Johnson, a pioneer
settler here. Among his children Mrs.
Murphy was the fourth in order of birth,
and her childhood days were passed in her
native township. She is still living and is
now in her eighty-seventh year.
L'nto Mr. and Mrs. ]\Iurphy were born
four sons and four daughters : Samantha,
the wife of William Burkholder; Albert and
Sarah, both deceased ; Elmer, deceased ; Lu-
cretia, the widow of Samuel Poorman, of
jMiddlebury township; James F., of Mid-
dlebury township; George, of this review;
and Ella, the widow of Frank Thompson,
of Middlebury township.
George T. Murphy began his education
in the district schools and later continued
his education in Fredericktown. At the
age of eighteen, his patriotic spirit thor-
oughly aroused, he offered his services to
the government, and in 1862 donned the
blue uniform as a member of Company A,
Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv-
ing for three years. He participated in many
important engagements, including the
battles of Raymond, \'icksburg. Champion
Hill and the siege of Vicksburg. In the win-
ter of 1863-4 he was with his command at
Meridian and then returned to Vicksburg,
and in [March, 1864. went home on a fur-
lough. On the expiration of his leave of
absence he joined the Army of the Cumber-
land, participated in the Atlanta campaign
and was with Sherman on the" celebrated
mafch to the sea, whioh proved thajt
the Confederate strength was almost ex-
pended. After the capture of Savannah
he participated in the Carolina campaign,
proceeded to Washington, and when the
victorious hosts were marshalled in Wash-
ington, he, too, participated in the grand
review, the most celebrated military page-
ant ever seen on the western hemisphere.
On the 15th of June, 1865, he was honor-
ably discharged in Columbus, and with a
most creditable military record returned to
his home.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
t93
Mr. Murphy then resumed his education
and for two years was a student in Fred-
ericktown, after which he engaged in teach-
ing for a year. He haS' been honored with
pubhc office, being appointed by President
Harrison storekeeper and ganger for what
is known as the Lost Run distillery, serving
in that capacity for four years. In 1896 he
was elected county commissioner and filled
that position for a similar period. He is
now engaged in the insurance business in
Batemantown, in company with C. C. Jack-
son, ex-county recorder of Mount Vernon,
and represents a number of the old reliable
companies.
In 1868 Mi'r. Murphy was married to
Miss Alice Van Buskirk. and unto them
have been born two children : Lillie, the
wife of William Alguire; and Inez, the wife
of Otho McCarroo. After the death of his
first wife Mr. Murphy wedded Sarah
Lynde, a native of Middlebury township and
a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Fowler)
Lynde, who had seven children, Mrs. Mur-
phy being the third. Her father was a na-
tive of Vermont, her mother of Connecti-
cut. Mr. Murphy is identified with a num-
ber of fraternal orders, belonging to Fred-
ericktown Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Jacob
Young Post, No. 192, G. A. R.. of Fred-
ericktown. In politics he has always been
a stanch, Republican and is deeply inter-
ested in the success of his party and in all
measures pertaining to the public good.
COL. ISAAC P. LARIMORE.
Colonel Isaac P. Larimore is one of the
old settlers of Hilliar township, where for
many years he has engaged in farming. He
was born in Hampshire county, Virginia,
now \\'est Virginia, Alarch 10, 1821, and is
of Irish lineage, for his grandfather,
James Larimore, was a native of the Emer-
ald Isle and when a young man crossed the
Atlantic to America, settling in Hampshire
county, where he became acquainted
with and married Susan Brown, a Ger-
man lady. Among their children was James
Larimore, Jr., also a native of Hampshire
county, where he spent his entire life. He
was educated in its schools, reared within
its border, pursued his business career
there, and when death claimed him he was
still a resident of the county, being then
about seventy years of age. In his political
affiliations he was an old-line Whig, and in
religious faith was a Presbyterian. At all
times he was firm in support of his con-
victions, and Wis many excellent character-
istics commended him to the respect and
trust of all with whom he came in contact.
He married Naomi Wolverton, a native of
New Jersey, who became a resident of
Hampshire county. West Virginia, when
only three years old, there spending her re-
maining days. Her father was Joe Wolver-
ton, of New Jersey. Unto the parents of
our subject were born fourteen children," of
whom he was the second son and seventh
child. Of the family of seven sons and
seven daughters but five daughters and two
sons reached mature years.
Isaac P. Larimore spent the first twenty-
three years of his life in the county of his
nativity and then determined to try his for-
tune in the west. With all his earthly pos-
sessions in a small parcel, he traveled on
horseback through forests and o\-er moun-
tains, and on the night of November 17,
1844, slept for the first time in Knox county.
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
where he was destined tO' spend so many
years, his residence here covering ahiiost six
decades.
For a year Mr. Larimore worked by the
month as a farm hand and then married
Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary
(Black) Mantonya. Her father was born
in Loudoun county,. Virginia, while her
mother's birth occurred in what ' is now
Hampshire county. West Virginia. Mrs.
Larimore, their only child, was born in
Licking county, Ohio, May i, 1829, but
from the age of five years was reared in
Knox county amid primitive surroundings
and pioneer conditions. She attended a log
school house and was trained in all the work
of the household, so that she was vvcll quali-
fied to take charge of a home of her own.
Mr. and Mrs. Larimore began their domes-
tic life upon a farm in Milford township,
where they lived from 1844 until 1875,
when they came to their present home in
Hilliar township. Here Mr. Larimore
owns two hundred and sixteen acres of rich
land, arable and productive. Through a
long period he engaged in its cultivation,
but he is now living retired, the income
from his farm, together with the comfort-
able competence he acquired in former
years, being amply sufficient to supply him
with all the necessities and many of the lux-
uries of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Larimore were born
eleven children, of whom five are living:
Joseph; Harriet, the wife Oif Elmer Hol-
lister; James; William; and Rose, who
married Frank Sutton. Among those who
have passed away three died in infancy;
Sarah died at the age of fifteen years ; Vir-
ginia departed this life at the age of twenty-
one; and Emma died at the age of twenty-
seven. Mr. Larimore and his family attend
the Methodist church, of which he has been
a member for fifty years and a local min-
ister nearly all that time. He has also been
a life-long Democrat in his political affili-
ations and has held a number of local offices.
He was a member of the agricultural board
of the county for ten years, and took an ac-
tive part in advancing its interests and its
influence. He was a member of the Hart-
ford Central Agricultural Society for thir-
ty-fi-i-e years, wrote its constitution and was
its president and vice-president through a
long period, while for nearly twenty years
he served as its marshal. He has done every-
thing in his power to promote the welfare of
the farmer and to introduce improved meth-
ods which will lead to better results. He
formerly took an active interest in military
affairs, his popularity as the fair marshal
causing him to be selected as colonel in the
Ohio State Militia, his commission being
signed by the old war governor Todd.
Progress and advancement have ever been
watchwords with him, and in all lines of life
with which he has been connected he has
sought improvement both for himself and
others. No man in the community has done
more to promote agricultural interests, and
his fellow townsmen recognize his worth
and. honor him for what he has accom-
plished.
HARMON J. DEBOLT.
i
Harmon J. Debolt is one of the exten-
sive land owners of Knox county, his pos-
sessions aggregating three hundred and
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1 95
ninety-six acres, constituting one of the
finest farms in this portion of the state. It
is supplied with all modern conveniences
and the well-tilled fields annually return a
golden tribute for the care and labor be-
stowed upon them by our subject who is ac-
counted a most progressive and enterpris-
ing farmer.
It was upon this farm in Hilliar town-
ship that Mr. Debolt w'as born on the 9th
of April, 1857, and since pioneer times in
this portion of Ohio the family history has
been interwoven with the annals of Knox
county, for Absolom Debolt, the grand-
father of our subject, purchased this farm
from the government. He performed the
arduous task of reclaiming the wild land for
purposes of civilization and succeeded in
making it a very productive and desirable
tract. William T. Debolt, the father of our
subject, was born in NeAvark, Licking coun-
ty, Ohio, and was a youth of nine years
when he came to Knox county. Here he
assisted in the work of clearing the land
and cultivating the fields, and throughout
his remaining days he resided upon the old
family homestead and in Centerburg, suc-
cessfully carrying on agricultural pursuits
after he had attained to man's estate. He
married Sarah Hollister, a native of Knox
county, who died when about fifty-six years
of age. Their only daughter, Mary E., is
now the wife of W. B. Pelter, of Center-
burg.
Harmon J. Debolt pursued his education
in the district schools, and in the fields he
assisted in planting crops and caring for
them through the months of summer, while
in the autumn he aided in garnering the
harvests. He has never left the old home-
stead, which is now his property, and to-day
he has one of the best farms in this part of
the state, supplied Avith all modern access-
ories and conveniences. In connection with
the raising of the cereals best adapted to this
climate he also engaged in raising and feed-
ing stock, and this branch of his business
adds materially to his income.
In 1878 w^as celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Debolt and Miss Emma Dally, a
daughter of Ephraim Dally. They now
have four children — Clarence L., William,
Ephraim and Lelia, all of whom are yet un-
der the parental roof. The friends of the
family in this community are many and the
hospitality of the best homes is extended to
them. Mr. Debolt votes with the Democ-
racy, but while he warmly endorses its prin-
ciples he has never been a politician in tire
sense of office seeking. He holds member-
ship with Centerburg Lodge, No. 228, K.
P., and not only enjoys the regard of his
brethren of that fraternity but of the ma-
jority of those with whom business or so-
cial relations have brought him in contact.
JOHN RANDOLPH LONG.
At the time when the nation was in-
volved in Civil war John R. Long joined the
northern army and proved himself a loyal
and devoted soldier. He is numbered
among the early settlers of Knox county
and is a representative citizen of Hilliar
township. His birth occurred in Milford
township, KnO'X county, March 29, 1844,
and he is a representative of one of the old
families of this state. His grandfather,
Solomon Long, came from Pennsylvania to
Ohio, and it was in the Keystone state that
Rollins Long, the father of our subject, was
196
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
born. He was only about two years of age
when his parents emigrated westward, tak-
ing tip their abode near Newark. He was
reared and educated in Bennington town-
ship. Licking county, and after arriving at
years of maturity was married in Knox
county to Miss EUzabeth Conaway, a native
of this county, whither her parents came
from Maryland, being numbered among the
early settlers here. Mr. and Mrs. Long be-
gan their domestic life in Milford township
and throughout his business career he car-
ried on farming. His death occurred in
Hilliar township in his se\'enty-ninth year,
and his wife lived to be about sixty years of
age. They were the parents of ten children,
all of whom reached years of maturity.
The second child was the subject of this
review, and under the parental roof he spent
his youthful days. Although but a boy
when the Civil war was in progress, be r&.
sponded to his country's call in 1864 for aid
and enlisted in Company B, One Hundred
and Forty-second Ohio Infantry, with
which he served for four months. Rettini-
ing to his home, he resumed farm work, and
in 1869 he made preparations for a home of
his own by his marriage to Rachel E.
Wenger, who was born in Licking county,
Ohio, and is a daughter of Levi and Abbey
(Harrison) Wenger. She spent her girl-
hood days in her native county and there ob-
tained a common-school education. Two
children have been born of this union:
Rensselaer, who attended the Kaiyon Col-
lege and graduated at the Union Christian
College at Merom, Indiana, in 1896, is a
minister of the Christian church, and
preached three years in Michigan and is
now serving the church at Utica and Sparta,
Ohio. He married Maud Hoover, of Mich-
igan, and they have a little daughter. Mar-
guerite. Carrie E. is the wife of Bliss AVil-
lis, of Centerburg, and they have one son,
Elmo Lee.
Mr. and Mrs. Long reside in Hilliar
township, which has been their place of
abode since 1880. He has one hundred and
one acres of excellent land, and as the soil
usually returns rich han^ests he is annually
adding to his jncome and is accounted one
of the prosperous farmers of the commun-
ity. In his political views he is a Populist.
Religiously he is identified with the Chris-
tian church at Centerburg. Firm in his con-
victions, he earnestly espouses the cause
which he believes to be right and just, and
at all times merits the high regard in which
he is uniformly held.
\V. O. PHILLIPS, AI. D.
In tracing the career of the successful
physician it is usually found that he pos-
sesses certain marked characteristics in ad-
dition to having a thorough knowledge of
the healing art and good financial ability.
There must be a ready sympathy and a
power of entering into the feelings of others,
united to that self-poise and conscious
strength which naturally emanates from a
strong, self-reliant nature. Dr. Phillips is
fortunate in being gifted with many of the
qualities of the successful physician, and his
cheer}', helpful optimism is a source of hope
and comfort in many a home shadowed by
sickness and suffering. He is now the old-
est resident physician of Centerburg,
where since 1883 he has followed his pro-
fession.
The Doctor was born in Morrow county.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
197
Ohio, September 8, 1855. His grandfa-
ther, W. O. Phihips, for whom he was
named, Avas a native of Pennsylvania and be-
came one of the early settlers of Knox coun-
ty. His son, James S. Phillips, the Doc-
tor's father, was born in Greene county,
Pennsylvania, and accompanied his parents
on their emigration westward. After ar-
riving- at years of maturity he married Miss
Rebecca Ewalt, a daughter of Richard
Ewalt, one of the honored pioneers of Knox
county, who took up his abode in Hilliar
township, where his daughter was bom.
Mr. Phillips died in 1868, at the age of
forty-five years. Of his three children the
Doctor is the eldest. The only daughter
died in infancy and R. D. Phillips is now a
resident of the state of Washington.
Dr. Phillips was only about four years
of age when he became a resident of Knox
county, and in 1863 he took up his abode in
Centerburg. He pursued his early educa-
tion in the schools of Mount Liberty and
Liberty township, and later became a student
in the Nomral School at Lebanon, Ohio.
For six years he engaged in teaching in the
district schools of Centerburg- and vicinity,
but this was only a means to an end — a step
which made possible his desire to fit himself
for the medical profession. In 1879 he be-
came a student in the office of Dr. B. F.
Jackson, of Chesterville, Ohio, and was
graduated in the Cleveland Homeopathic
College, in February, 1883. In June of the
same year he opened his office in Center-
burg, v>'here he has since remained and to-
day he is the oldest physician in }'ears of
continuous connection with the town. His
skill was early manifest in the desirable re-
sults which followed his ministrations and
in consec|uence his patronage constantly
grew until the demands made for his pro-
fessional aid leave him little leisure time.
The Doctor is also identified with the busi-
ness interests of the town as treasurer of
the Building & Loan Association.
In May, 1878, occurred the marriage
of Dr. Phillips and Miss S. A. McCracken,
a daughter of S. S. and Antoinette (Ayres)-
McCracken. She was born in Chesterville,
Ohio, September 19, 1857, and in its
schools acquired her education. She is a
lady of culture and refinement and presides
with gracious hospitality over her pleasant
home. By this marriage five children have
been born, but the eldest died in infancy
and the third, Karl W., died in October,
1895, at the age of nine years. The others
are Clarence D., Hulah May and Harry S.
M. The Doctor is a very prominent Repub-
lican and has served as delegate to various
conventions. He takes an active interest in ,
political work, does all in his power to pro-
mote the growth and insure the success O'f
his party and keeps well informed on the
issues of the day. He is president of the
board of pension examiners of Knox county
and for thirteen years was a member of the
board of education of Centerburg, retiring
from that office in 1890. He endorses
every measure which he believes will pro-
mote the intellectual, material, social and
moral advancement of the community and
his efforts in this direction have not been
-without result. He is an active and con-
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal
church and is an exemplary representative
of the ilasonic and Knights of P^-thias
fraternities. The qualities of an upright
manhood are his and added to his profes-
sional skill make him one of the most valua-
ble citizens of Centerburg. The success to
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
whicli the Doctor has attained has come only
as the result of adhering tenaciously to a
well thought-out course, and by the exercise
of indomitable determinations of the will,
supplemented' by willing hand (and active
brain. The lesson o-f self-reliance was early
learned, whatever honor in the profession
or standing in business circles he now holds
coming as the result of the intrinsic quali-
ties of the boy developed tO' mature ripeness
in the man.
SAMUEL ORLIN GANTT, M. D.
Although Dr. Gantt has been engaged in'
the practice of medicine in Centerburg for
only the brief period of three years he is
already enjoying a large business, which is
indicative of the confidence and trust re-
posed in him by the public. He was born
in Hilliar township September 14, 1861, and
is a son of Stephen H. and Emily (Barker)
Gantt. His father wa; born in Virginia in
1 818, and in 1836 accompanied his parents
on their removal to this county, the journey
being made across the moimtains, through
the forests and over the plains with teams
in the primitive style of the times, for no
railroads had then been built. Mr. Gantt
was first married in Mount Vernon to Miss
Eliza Loveridge, and they became the par-
ents of six children. The mother died about
1857 and Mr. Gantt was again married, in
1859, his second union being with Miss Em-
ily Barker, a native of England, who was
brought to America by her parents when
only two years old. The family located in
Gambler, Knox county, where she was
reared, and in Hilliar towaiship she gave her
hand in marriage to Mr. Gantt. His death
occurred in 1896, but the mother of our sub-
ject is still living. They had five children.
Dr. Gantt is the oldest son and second
child of the second marriage and in his par-
ents' home he was surrounded by a refining
influence and taught the value of industry
and perseverance in the busy affairs of life.
In the district schools he obtained his pre-
liminary education, which was supplemented
by study in the Utica Normal School. For
a time after completing his school course he
engaged in farming, but preferring a profes-
sional career he began the study of medicine
with Dr. B. F. Humber in 1887. Later he
matriculated in the medical department of
the Western Reser\'e University, at Cleve-
land, Ohio, and was graduated from the
Starling Medical College, in Columbus, with
the class of 1890. He then located for prac-
tice in Martinsburg, where he remained for
nine years, and in 1899 he came to Center-
burg, where his ability as a physician and
surgeon has enabled him to quickly gain a
large and lucrative practice.
September 13, 1883, the Doctor was
united in marriage to Miss Emma Teagar-
den, a native of Milford and a daughter of
D. L. and Lucy (Jennings) Teagarden, who
had two daughtei", Mrs. Gantt being the el-
der. Three sons and a daughter have been
born unto the Doctor and his wife; Dale B.,
Edith M., Orlin Lowell and Stephen Bryant.
In his political vieAvs the Doctor is an in-
flexible Republican, unfaltering in his ad-
vocacy of the principles in which he bel!e\'es
so strongly. For some time he has served
as a member of the school board and is
now acting as its clerk. His entire life has
been spent in Knox county and his business
has been of such a nature as to gain to him
a wide acquaintance, while the sterling traits
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
199
of his character have won from among them
many warm friends. His practice extends
into adjoining counties and he may well
be classed among the leading physicians and
surgeons of the locality.
STANTON E. DEELEY, M. D.
Dr. Stanton E. Deeley, one oi the well-
known and successful physicians of Mount
Vernon, located here in 1897, and has ever
since been actively engaged in the practice
of medicine and surgery. A native of the
city of Sandusky, Ohio, he was there reared,
receiving his elementary education in its pub-
lic schools. He is a son of Benjamin E.
Deeley, who was also' born and reared in
Sandusky and has there spent his entire life,
having reached the sixtieth milestone on the
journey of life. He is a well-known and
active citizen of that city, and was formerly
engaged in contracting but is now living re-
tired, enjoying the rest which he so richly
deserves. The grandfather of our subject,
William Deeley, came to this country from
London, England, and in the '40s he located
in Sandusky, Ohio, where he also became a
prominent and influential citizen. He there
spent the remainder of his life, passing away
at the venerable age of eighty-nine years.
He established the first fish house in that
city, and became very prominent in that line
of trade. Sandusky has now the largest fish
house in the world, owned by Booth, of Chi-
cago. Mr. Deeley also established a fish
house in Toledo, Ohio. The mother of our
subject, who was a native of Erie county,
Ohio, bore the maiden name of Jennie Steen,
and was a daughter of Robert Steen, who
was the first public school teacher in Erie
county. He came from the north of Ireland
and was a member of a prominent and in-
fluential family of that locality.
Stanton E. Deeley, whose name intro-
duces this review, has for a number of years
been recognized as one of the leading mem-
bers of the medical fraternity in Knox coun-
ty, having attained high distinction in the
line of his chosen calling. He was a student
in the Cleveland University of Medicine and
Surgery, graduating in that institution with
the class of 1896, and in the following year
he located in Mount Vernon, where he has
achieved an enviable success and won the
favorable criticism of his pro'fessional breth-
ren as well as of the public. He has made a
specialty of the practice of surgery. For a
number of years Dr. Deeley served as physi-
cian and surgeon in the Huron Street Hos-
pital, at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was asso-
ciated with many of the eminent medical
practitioners of that city, and for twO' years
he was associated in practice with H. F.
Beggar, of Cleveland. His knowledge of
the medical science is comprehensive and ac-
curate, for he has always been a close student
of the profession and has kept in touch with
the progress and improvement which mark
its adK-ancement at present. His life has
been characterized by devotion to every duty
and he commands the respect and confidence
of all.
JOHN JEPPESEN.
What splendid success has been won by
mien of foreign birth, as, taking advantage
of the excellent opportunity furnished in this
land where "labor is king" and where merit
and industrv form the high road to fortune.
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
they have steadily worked their way upward
and have gained rich reward for their toiL
Such is the history- of JNIr. Jeppesen, who is
now proprietor of the Centerburg Creamery
and whose investments in business interests
and real estate here have been cjuite exten-
sive and profitable.
A native of Denmark, he was born July
19, 1855, and was reared in that kingdom
which, though small, has played an import-
ant part in the world's history. After at-
tending the common schools he continued
his education in the Abe high school and
in the agricultural schools at SeaJiolt. Later
he became overseer on a large estate, occu-
pying that position for four years at \Mn-
tersburg, and for a year and a half he was
the manager of another estate at Boerumup.
For eighteen months he engaged in militaiw
service, holding the rank of coriX)ral. his
army life covering portions of the year 1878
and 1879 3t Copenhagen.
]\Ir. Jeppesen then engaged in the cream-
ery business in his native land until, believ-
ing that he could better his financial condi-
tion in America, he sailed for the new world,
arriving at New York on the 3d of June,
1890. Proceeding westward to Chicago he
there remained for some time, working for
a dollar and a half per day. He was first
employed in Kirk's Soap Factoiy and in
the spring of 1891 he took a po.=:tion as but-
ter maker in the employ of the Fox River
Butter Company, at Oswego, Illinois, with
whom he remained until the following fall,
when he returned to Chicago, forming a
lousiness connection with the firm of Davis
& Rankin. He was employed by them to op-
erate creameries in different parts of the
country, one in Indiana, one in Iowa and a
third in Centerburg, taking charge in
1892. He continued to conduct the last in
the interest of the firm for five years, and on
the 1st of November, 1900, he purchased
the plant, which he has since conducted with
excellent success. He has a thorough and
comprehensive knowledge of the business,
keeps informed concerning the latest im-
provements in this line and adopts all that
he believes will facilitate the business and
enable him to supply his patrons with better
grades of creamery products. The superior
excellence of his output has secured to him
a very large patronage. Much of the suc-
cess of Mr. Jeppesen may be attributed to
the fact of his having been the inventor and
patentee of creamery machinery, such as
cream separators, milk elevators, etc. The
milk elevator is being manufactured by the
Elgin Manufacturing Company and used in
the Sharpless creameries, returning to its
inventor a handsome royalty.
Mr. Jeppesen is a man of unflagging en-
ergy- and resourceful business ability and
has extended his activities into other fields
where his labors have also brought good re-
sults. For a year and a half he was pro-
prietor of a lumber yard and was in the im-
plement business for a year. He erected a
large store building occupied by Hick &
Company, also the one now owned by C.
L. Bishop. Thus he has been closely con-
nected with the business activity of Center-
burg, his labors proving of benefit to the
community while also promoting his indi-
vidual prosperity.
On the 26th of May, 1897, ]\Ir. Jeppesen
was united in marriage to Mildred R. Rob-
inson, a daughter of John and Victoria
(^^'hitney) Robinson, of Buckeye City,
Ohio. Prior to her marriage she was a
teacher in the high school of Centerburg for
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
two years and is a lady of superior intelli-
gence and culture. By her marriage she
has become the mother of one son, Frederick
F. N. Mr. and Mrs. Jeppesen are members
of the Alethodist Episcopal church and he
belongs to the Masonic order and the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. On politi-
cal questions he holds views independent of
party ties and at local elections supjwrts the
man whom he thinks best qualified for office.
He has been a resident of the country for lit-
tle more than eleven years and what he has
accomplished in this comparatively brief
space of time seems almost phenomenal, for
he only had five dollars when he arrived in
Chicago and all that he now possesses has
been won since. Brooking no obstacles that
could be overcome by detennined purpose,
through industry, perseverance, capable
management and honorable dealing he has
gradually added to his financial resources
until he is now one of the substantial citizens
of Centerburg.
REV. JOSEPH T. WORKMAN.
Rev. Joseph T. Workman is a minister
of the German Baptist church and is also
identified with the farming interests of
Knox county. He is numbered among its
native sons, for his birth occurred in Brown
township, on the 15th of October, 1847.
Flis father was also a minister of the gos-
pel. He was the Rev. John J. Workman
and well known in connection with Chris-
tian activity in Knox county. His wife bore
the maiden name of Lucretia De Witt.
They maintained their home in Brown
township, and under the parental roof the
subject of this review was reared. He at-
tended the district schools for some time
and afterward spent four and one-half
months as a student in a select school. He
then returned home and for some time fol-
lowed the profession of teaching in the win-
ter months, while in the summer season he
assisted in the further development and cul-
tivation of the home farm. After his mar-
riage he located upon a farm, where he yet
resides, and has since conducted agricult-
ural pursuits, his thorough understanding
of the business, combined with knowledge
and perseverance, making his labors of ex-
cellent financial benefit. He began his min-
isterial work in 189 1, and as pastor of the
German Baptist church at Danville he is
exercising an excellent influence over the
moral development and religious welfare of
his community.
On the 5th of November, 1873, Rev.
Workman was united in marriage to Miss
Lucinda Grubb, who. is the tenth in a fam-
ily of twelve children born unto Daniel H.
and Elizabeth (Brumbaugh) Grubb, who
were early settlers of Pike township. There
Mrs. Workman was born, reared and edu-
cated. By her marriage she has become the
mother of three children, Cora A., Eliza-
beth and Walter D., all at home. The fam-
ily reside upon the farm of one hundred and
eleven acres in Brown township and Mr.
and Mrs. Workman enjoy the hospitality of
the best homes of the neighborhood. He
votes with the Democracy and is interested
in the welfare of the party whose principle
he endorses. Every movement which he-
believes to be of benefit to the community
receives his endorsement and his work and
influence are of no restricted order. He is
most earnest and zealous in behalf of the
church, and by example as well as by pre-
cept is extending the power of the denomi-
nation which he represents.
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
NOAH NYHART.
Noah Nyhart, who is engaged in farm-
ing on section 7, Jefferson township, is
numbered among the representatives of an
early pioneer family of Knox county. Lit-
tle is known concerning the ancestral his--
tory of the subject, for his grandfather died
when in the service of his country in the war
of 18 1 2, at which time Jacob Nyhart, the
father of Noah, waj a small boy. He came
from New Jersey tO' the Buckeye state at an
early period in its development and cast in
his lot with the pioneer settlers of this coun-
ty. Jacob Nyhart was born in New Jersey,
and in his youth and early manhood ex-
perienced all the hardship and privation in-
cident to establishing a home upon the fron-
tier. Throughout his business career he
was identified with the agricultural inter-
ests of the community, and his last years
w^ere spent in quiet retirement from labor.
He was more than ninety-one years of age
when called to his final rest. He always
gave his political support to the Democratic
party and served as township treasurer and
in other offices. He w^as widely and favor-
ably known in the county and was a de-
voted member of the Methodist Episcopal
church. He wedded Mary Smith, who was
also a native of New Jersey and when a
young lady came to Knox county. Her fa-
ther, William Smith, who was also born in
New Jersey, took up his abode in Licking
county upon his arrival in Ohio, but sub-
sequently removed to Knox county, where
his last days were passed. His attention
was devoted to agricultural pursuits
throughout his business career. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Nyhart were born nine children.
all of whom reached adult age, and six are
yet living.
Noah Nyhart, the youngest of this fam-
ily, was born and reared in Jefferson town-
ship, his natal day being March 28, 185 1.
He attended the district schools near his
home and when school was not in session
assisted in the work of the fields and mead-
ows. He remained at home until his mar-
riage, which occurred in 1874. Miss Aman-
da Ella Hall becoming his wife. They had
two sons who reached maturity, John J.
and Charles C, residents of Brown town-
ship. After the death of his first wife, in
1882, Mr. Nyhart was again married, his
second union beiftg with Miss Mary Kay-
lor, who died June 20, 1896, leaving four
daughters and a son, namely : Elizabeth,
Jennie, Moniia, Edna and Jesse, all of
whom are at home.
At the time of his first marriage Air.
Nyhart located upon the farm where he yet
resides, and has since engaged in the culti-
vation of the fields and the raising- of stock.
He owns two hundred and seventeen and a
half acres in the home farm and in Brown
township he had one hundred and eighty-
nine acres, which he has given to his son.
He carries on his work along progressive
lines, and his fann, with its rich soil, yields
to him a good return for his labors. In
1884 he erected a modern two-story resi-
dence, at a cost of about two thousand dol-
lars, and in 1883 he built a barn, thirty-six
by sixty feet. He also has another house
and barn on this place, north of his own
home, and the dwelling is occupied by the
family of the man who is employed to assist I
in the farm work. In his political vie^vs '
Mr. Nyhart is a Republican, but while he
OF KNOX COUNTY; OHIO.
203
keeps well informed on the issues of the day
and earnestly supports his party's principles,
he has never sought or desired office, his
time being fully occupied with his farm
work, which is bringing to him success.
GEORGE W. SHULTS.
George W. Shults is oiie of the direc-
tors of the county infirmary of Knox county
and an enterprising agriculturist who lives
on section 7, Jefferson township. This w^as
also his birthplace, and his natal day was
October 8, 1846. His father, Jacob Shults,
was born and reared in Pennsylvania and
about 1820 left the Keystone state for Ohio,
taking up his abode in Knox county. He
resided for a time in Danville and then set-
tled on the farm, then in woods, which is
now the home of our subject. There he
spent his remaining days, passing away at
the venerable age of eighty-three years. He
was numbered among the honored pioneers
of the county, and experienced many of the
hardships and trials of frontier life at the
time when he assisted in reclaiming the wild
land for purposes of civilization. His politi-
cal allegiance was first given the Whig
party and later he joined the Republican
ranks. He was a member of the German
Baptist church and commanded the respect
of all who knew him. He had a sister,
Sarah, who became Mrs. George Witt, and
she also came to Knox county. Mr. Shults
was twice married, having by the first union
nine children. For his second .wife he
chose Elizabeth Coleman, and by this mar-
riage there were six children, all of whom
reached mature years, while five are yet
living.
George W. Shults, who was the second
child and son, spent his youthful days in
the usual manner of farmer lads of the
period, and like most young men starting
out in life for themselves, he sought a com-
panion and helpmate for the journey. On
the 23d of February, 1871, he was united
in marriage to Melvira J. Doty, a native of
Knox county, and a daughter of Lot and
Nancy (Elliott) Doty. Their union f^^as
been blessed with the following named:
Elmer O., .who married Ufa N3diart, a
daughter of William Nyha.rt; and Bertha
E., who is still with her parents.
For a few years after his marriage Mr.
Shults resided upon land belonging to his
father-in-law, and then took up' his abode
on the old Shults homestead. He to-day
owns in this tract ninety-six acres, and, in
addition, one hundred acres in the northerii
part of the township. His land is well
cultivated and improved, and year by year
rich fields return to him a good income. He
exercises his right of franchise in support
of the rrien and measures of the Republican
party, and in 1899 was elected to the im-
lX)rtant position of a director of the county
infirmary, which office he is still holding.
For several years he was a trustee of Jeffer-
son township, and in all public offices he has
discharged his duties with promptness and
fidelity. Socially he is connected with the
Knights of the GoWen Eagle, with the
Maccabees and with the Patrons of Hus-
bandry. He belongs to the Methodist Epis-
copal church and has taken an active part in
its work and in the Sunday-school, and has
served as trustee and steward. His life has
ever been actuated by honorable and manly
principles and he has gained the unqualified
regard and confidence of his fellow towns-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
whence he removedi in 1849 to* Gambier,
men. He has always lived in this com-
munity, and the fact that his warmest
friends are numbered among those who
have known him from boyhood is an indi-
cation that his record has ever been one
worthy of high commendation.
DAVID K. BLYSTON.
Of that good old Pennsylvania stock
which for many generations has everywhere
in America stood for patriotism and pros-
perity is the prominent resident of Clay
township, Knox county, Ohio, whose name
is above.
David K. Blyston, who is living a life
of retirement at Bladensburg, in the county
and township above mentioned, was born
one mile north of that village, October 10,
1838.
His grandfather, John Blyston, was
born in Pennsylvania, and located in Clay
township, Knox county, Ohio, in 1824.
Later he removed to Jackson township,
where he died in 1846. He was a wagon-
maker by trade, but gave his attention
largely to farming. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Frances Foster, was a
daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Foster, in
command of a Pennsylvania regiment in the
Revolutionary war, dying in the service;
and Colonel Crawford, who was burned at
the stake near Upper Sandusky by Indians,
was her first cousin. She died in 1861, on
the old homestead in Jackson township,
where they had settled in 1831.
Henry Blyston, the father of our sub-
ject, was born in Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, March i, 1803, and early in life
was brought to Harrison county by his par-
ents. Later he returned to Clarion county,
Pennsylvania, and was there married. Re-
turning to Knox county, Ohio, in 1825, he
located on the farm on which the subject of
this sketch no-w lives, making a clearing in
the woods, 011 which he built a humble log
cabin. After he cleared and improved his
farm he removed to Licking county, Ohio,
where for some years he was engaged in
milling and merchandising. In 185 1, how-
ever, he returned to his farm in Knox coun-
ty, where he died in 1879. He was suc-
cessful as a business man and prominent
and popular as a citizen, and in politics was
a Whig and later a Republican. He mar-
ried Mary A. Ritter, who was born in ClarT
ion county, Pennsylvania, in July, 181 1,
a daughter of Thomas Ritter, also a
native of Pennsylvania, and she died in her
fifty-third year. Henry and Mary A. (Rit-
ter) Blyston were the parents of four sons
and three daughters, of whom two sons and
one daughter grew to manhood and woman-
hood. David K. Blyston, the fifth of his
parents' children in order of birth, is the
only one of them now living. He was
reared in Jackson township and educated in
the common schools taught near his home.
In 1862, after having established himself
as a farmer, he enlisted in Company I,
Eighty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In-
fantry, with which he saw active service in
the Civil war for four months. He then en-
listed in the Eighty-seventh Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, but that regiment was
consolidated with another to form the One
Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and he was a member of
Company F of that organization, with
which he served two years and eight months.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
205
He was made fifth sergeant of Company F,
and early in 1864 he was made second Heti-
tenant of Company C, and in August,
1864, first Heutenant of Company A. He
had charge of an ambulance corps during a
portion of the Atlanta campaign. At the
battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863,
he was wounded in the right shoulder by a
ball fired by a Confederate sharpishooter.
At the fight at Franklin, Tennessee, No-
vember 30, 1864, he was shot through the
left lung while in command of his company,
and was senior officer in line in command
of his regiment. In that memorable battle,
which was fought in a short time, the total
Union and Confederate loss was one thou-
sand seven hundred and sixty killed and
about four thousand wounded. The Union
loss was one hundred and eighty-eight
killed and about two thousand wounded 'and
taken prisoners. After remaining thirty
days in Hospital No. i, at Nashville, Ten-
nessee, Lieutenant Blyston rejoined his regi-
ment at Strawberry Plain, East Tennessee.
He afterward saw memorable service at
Knoxville, Tennessee, after which he re-
turned to Nashville, where he remained un-
til May I, 1865. After he was mustered
out of the service he returned to his old
home in Ohio.
After the war Mr. Blyston farmed until
1869, when he removed to Bladensburg,
and there conducted a general store until
1 88 1, when he retired from active business.
He was a charter member of Emerson Up-
dyke Post, No. 486, Grand Army of the
Republic, which was named in honor of its
first commander, and he has passed more
years as its commander than any other of
its members. He is also a member of Joe
Hooker Post of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and has been active in all the work
of the organization, having several times
been a delegate to state encampments, and
once, in 1901, a delegate to the national en-
campment held at Cle\'eland, Ohio. He has
attained prominence as a Mason, being a
member of Ohio Lodge, No. 199, Free and
Accepted Masons, of Bladensburg; Clinton
Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons, of
Mount Vernon; and Clinton Commandery,
No. 5, Knights Templars, of Mount Ver-
non. He was formerly a member of the
Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 316, of Mount
Vernon, and of the lodge of Knights of
Pjthias, of Bladensburg. He is an active
member of the Christian church and is an
elder in the Bladensburg organization of
that body, in which he fills the office of sec-
retary. In politics he is a Republican, and
as such he has been called to several local
offices, among them that of township trus-
tee.
M!r. Blyston married Miss Esther A.
Jacobs, November 16, 1863. Mrs. Blys-
ton was a daughter of Charles and Nancy
(Melton) Jacobs and was born in Pleasant
township, Knox county, Oliio. She was
educated in the schools near her home and
is an admirable woman of the highest char-
acter and of many graces and accomplish-
ments, highly esteemed in a large circle of
acquaintances.
WILLIAM R. BODY.
William R. Body is numbered among
the native sons of Knox county, and is a
progressive agriculturist whose active and
well-spent life has won him success in his
business career. He resides on section 17,
20$
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Jefferson township, where he has a farm of
eighty acres well cultivated and improved.
Mr. Body was born in this township,
June 22, 1 85 1. His father, Col. John Body,
was a native of England and when foiirteen
years of age crossed the Atlantic to Canada,
Knoix county, Ohio. He was a shoemaker
by trade and there followed that pursuit,
making boots and shoes for the students in
the college for about two years. On the ex-
piration of that period he removed to Dan-
ville, where he followed the same calling,
and after three years he went to New Castle,
Ohio, where he worked at shoemaking until
his removal, in 1855, to the farm upon
which our subject now resides. He then de-
voted his energies to agricultural pursuits
until, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he
offered his services to the government as a
defender of the Union and joined the boys
in blue of Company A, Sixty-fifth Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. He entered the serv-
ice as a private but was soon promoted to
sergeant, afterward becoming second lieu-
tenant, and when honorably discharged was
captain of Company A. He served for
three years and was ever a loyal soldier,
valiantly defending the old flag and the
cause it represented. Physical disability
necessitated his retirement from the field,
preventing him from serving until the close
of hostilities, as he wished to do. He is now
familiarly known as Colonel Body, and has
a war record of which he lias every reason
to be proud, for he displayed valor on many
a hotly-contested battlefield. He took part
in the engagements at Stone River, Chick-
amauga. Missionary Ridge and many
others. He is still living in Danville, and
commands the respect of all with whom he
has been associated.
John Body was united in marriage to
Mary Greer, who' was born in Union town-
ship, Knox county, and is a sister of H. H.
Greer, of Mount Vernon, and of J. T. Greer,
of Toledo. The family was one of promi-
nence in this part of Ohio and was estab-
lished in Knox, county during the days of
its early development. Her father, Alex-
ander Greer, was born in Virginia and came
to Knox county with his father, Colonel
John Greer, who was born in Ireland, and
who, at the time of the second war with
England, espoused the cause of the Ameri-
can armies, commanding a regiment in the
struggle. Emigrating" tO' Ohio, he settled
in the midst of the dense forest in Jeffer-
son township, Knox county, and built a log
house, becoming one of the pioneers of this
locality. Mrs. Body, a most estimable lady,
died when about sixty-eight years of age,
leaving her husband and a son and daughter
to mourn her loss. The daughter is Vic-
toria L., the wife of H. C. Biggs, of Dan-
ville.
William R. Body; the only son, was
reared upon the farm which is now his
home, and his early education was acquired
in the common schools, suipplemenited by
study in the Danville high school. He after-
ward engaged in teaching in the district
schools of Jefferson, Howard and Brown
townships through five successive winter
seasons, and in the summer months he de-
voted his energies to farming. Since that
time his entire attention has been given to
the work of the fields, and success has at-
tended his eft'orts, which have brought to
him a comfortable competence.
In 1874 was celebrated the marriage of
Mr. Body and ]\Iiss Lydia A. Bradfield, a
sister of Dr. C. R. Bradfield, and their
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
union has been blessed with seven children,
as follows : Charles A. who married Nellie
Blair, and who is a railroad employe with
the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Rail-
road; Mary Edith, who is living at home;
J. Harry and Robert, both at home; Nora,
the wife of Herbert Whitney, of Brown
township ; James W., assisting his father on
the farm ; and Herbert, who resides with his
parents. In his political views Mr. Body is
a stanch Republican and has been honored
with several local offices, including that of
justice of the peace, in which he served for
three years. His life has been quiet and
uneventful, yet has been marked by fidelity
to duty in every public and private relation.
He is widely known for his sterling worth
and is an estimable representative of an hon-
ored pioneer family.
CAPTAIN CHARLES HENRY COE.
Among the valiant men that Ohio sent
10 the front to aid in the preservation of the
Union in the Civil war was Captain C. H.
Coe who is now living a retired life upon his
farm in Hilliar township, Knox county.
With love for his native land, reverence for
its institutions and its government and with
a courageous spirit that enabled him to
bravely face danger, he rendered to his
country effective service and all through the
years of his life, whether in times of peace
or war. he has been a patriotic and public
spirited citizen.
The Captain was born near Frederick-
town, Maryland, November 5, 1823. His
father, Joshua Coe, was also boni in that
state and was reared and married there.
By occupation he was a farmer, following
that pursuit throughout his business career.
In 1825 he emigrated westward to Licking
county, Ohio, settling near Utica. In early
life he had learned the brickmaker's trade
and after coming to Ohio he manufactured
all of the first brick used in the construction
of buildings in Utica. Subsequently he re-
moved to Knox county, where he died in
1841, at the age of fifty-seven years. He
was a Whig in his political affiliations and
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, in the work of which he took an ac-
tive and helpful part. He held a number of
its offices and also filled political positions.
His wife, who in her maidenhood was Mary
Burgoon, was a native of Maryland, and a
daughter of Francis Burgoon, who died in
Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, at the ad-
vanced age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. Coe
passed away at the age of seventy-three.
She was the mother of eight children, but
the eldest, a son, died in infancy. The
others were Katharine, Mary, Francis, Da-
vid, Charles H., Thomas D. and William.
Captain Coe was only two years of age
when taken by his parents to Licking coun-
ty, Ohio, in 1825. His childhood days were
spent in a manner not unusual to farmer lads
of the period. He worked in the fields
through the summer months and in the win-
ter season he pursued his education in an
old-time log school house. When seven-
teen years of age he was apprenticed to learn
the trade of a tanner and currier, and fol-
lowed that pursuit until the breaking out of
the war of the Rebellion. On the 27th of
July, 1 86 1, he went to Camp Chase, where
he was offered the position of quartermaster
by Colonel Fuller, but this he declined and
was thereupon commissioned adjutant by
General Buckingham to recruit soldiers. In
208
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
1862, however, he resigned that position
and took the place of Elmer McNaiighton,
one of the drafted men, as a private. In
September, 1862, when in camp at Zanes-
ville he was appointed by Adjutant General
George B. Wyatt to recruit for independent
sharpshooters, securing one hundred and
twenty-two men. and with these went to
Cleveland to be tested, eighty-two of
the number standing the test . as
marksmen. On the i6th of October
of that year Mr. Coe was commissioned as
captain of the Sixth Company of Ohio In-
pedendent Volunteer Sharpshooters, com-
posed of his own recruits, who were the first
soldiers armed with the Spencer rifle, the in-
ventor visiting them and giving the officers
a dinner at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Cap-
tain Barber, who served as commander of
the battalion, was disabled at Murfreesboro
and as Captain Coe was the next oldest com-
manding officer, he took charge of the bat-
talion. On the 24th of June, 1863 they
started on the Chattanooga campaign and
Captain Coe, with his command, was in all
of the engagements with General Rosecrans
and was made quartermaster general.
Captain Coe was with the forces of General
Thomas, wheii the latter succeeded Rose-
crans. In 1864, he was pronounced disabled
b)- the surgeons, and on accoimt of his disa-
bility resigned his position and returned
home.
On the loth of November, 1844. Captain
Coe had been married to Miss Eliza Ann
Conard, a daughter of Joseph Conard, of
Utica, the oldest settler of Knox county,
having taken up his abode within its bor-
ders in 1805 from Fredericktown, Virginia.
Fredericktown, Ohio, was named by him
and he took an active part in the pioneer
development of this part of the state. His
daughter, Mrs. Coe, died December 7, 1873,
leaving four children: Alice Filenia,
Charles Wesley, Jennie Eliza and Judson
Conard. On the 13th of December, 1875,
the Captain was again married, his second
union being with Miss Sarah E. Mills, the
daughter of Samuel Mills. By this mar-
riage there is one daughter. Lelia Pearl, at
home and a graduate of the Harcourt Semi-
nar}-.
In his early manhood Captain Coe voted
the Whig ticket and on the organization of
the Republican party joined its ranks and
has since been one of its stalwart supporters.
In 185 1 he was nominated on the Whig
ticket to represent his district in the state
legislature and was everywhere known as
the "boy candidate." Although there was
a usual Democratic majority, such was his
popularity and personal worth that he suc-
ceeding in reducing the Democratic vote un-
til he was defeated by only forty-one major-
ity by John Bell. He has since declined the
nomination for county treasurer and also
that of state senator, but has held all the
local township offices, including that of land
appraiser, while for thirteen years he was
assessor. Socially he is identified with the
Masonic order and also belongs to Debolt
Post, G. A. R. in which he has filled part of
the offices. He is a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church, and upright principles
have ever actuated his life and shaped his
dealings with his fellow men. He is now
living retired but he still makes his home
upon his farm, which comprises three hun-
dred and fifty-five acres of valuable land in
Hilliar township, in addition to which he
owns property at Hot Springs, Arkansas.
As a soldier on the field of battle, as an en-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
209
terprising agriculturist, as a representative
of fraternal and church relations he has ever
conamanded the respect and confidence of his
fellow men.
C. W. COE.
Through more than a quarter of a cen-
tury C. W. Coe was a representative of the
farming interests of Knox county and is
now actively associated with his financial in-
terests as president of the Building & Loan
Association of Centerburg and as a stock-
holder and director of the Centerburg Bank.
He was born in Washington township.
Licking county, Ohio, December 25, 1848,
and is the second child of Captain C. H. and
Eliza A. (Conard) Coe. His father, a na-
tive of Maryland, emigrated westward to
the Buckeye state and after residing for a
time in Licking county became a prominait
farmer of Hilliar township, Knox county.
Mrs. Coe was born on the same farm where
occurred the birth of their son, C. W. Coe,
and died at the age of forty-nine years.
Her. children are: Alice P., the wife of
George T. Rinehardt, of Hilliar township;
C. W., of this review ; Jennie, the wife of J.
S. Sutton, a resident of Hilliar township ;
and Judson, who is also living in Center-
burg.
C. W. Coe was but fourteen years of age
when he accompanied his parents on their
removal to Knox county and much of his
boyhood previously spent had been in work-
ing in a tan yard. Here he attended the dis-
trict schools and his advanced education was
obtained by one year's study in the Lebanon
Normal, one year in the Ohio Wesleyan
University, and one year in the pharmacy
department of the L'niversity of Michigan.
He clerked for a while in a drug store at
Springfield, Ohio, and then located on the
old homestead, where he engaged in agricul-
tural pursuits and stock raising for twenty-
seven years. He placed the land under a
high state of cultivation and the well tilled
fields annually returned to him golden har-
vests. In 1893 he took up' his residence in
Centerburg, but he still superintends a fine
farm of one hundred and sixty-nine acres,
situated in Licking county and which was
once the property of his grandfather, Joseph
Conard, who came from Virginia to Ohio
and secured this tract of land, from which
•he developed the first farm in Washington
township. On coming to Centerburg Mr.
Coe took his place as a prominent factor in
financial circles and is now the president of
the Building & Loan Association, the affairs
of which are conducted on such a safe and
systematic basis that the stockholders an-
nually receive a satisfactory dividend on
their investments, and at the same time the
association is of vast benefit to the commun-
ity, enabling many to obtain homes through
the facilities thus afforded.
Dec. 25, 1880, Mr. Coe was united in
marriage to Miss Bell Riley, a daughter of
John and Susan (Curtis) Riley, who were
early settlers of Knox county, and who had
a family of twelve children, all natives of
this county. Mrs. Coe, who is the youngest,
spent her girlhood days here and after at-
tending the district schools was for one year
a student in a seminary in Delaware. Since
1893 our subject and his wife have occu-
pied a very pleasant home in Centerburg.
Socially he is connected with the Masonic
order, being a member of the blue lodge at
Centerburg, Clinton Chapter, No. 26, and
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Clinton Commandery, No. 5, K. T., of
]\Iount Vernon. In politics he is unfalter-
ing in his advocacy of Republican principles
and religiously he is connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is
now serving as trustee. He has a business
record which is unassailable and his social
qualities and upright nature have gained
hinT the confidence and esteem of many
warm friends.
CARY E. WOLFE.
x-\merica has so many self-made men
that often it is hard to point one out as es-
pecially deserving of notice. Self-made men
vary in kind as widely as in the sum total
of their individual achievements, and if there
is any representative of the class who should
receive attention in a work of this kind it is
the man whose childhood was marked with
misfortune and poverty and who in spite of
numerous obstacles and discouragements has
made his way to noteworthy and respectable
success. Such a man is Cary E. Wolfe, a
prominent farmer on section 19, Harrison
township, Knox county, Ohio.
Mr. Wolfe may be said to be a product
of Harrison township, having been born
there May 9, 1856. He is a brother of Eli
A. Wolfe, of Howard township, a bio-
graphical sketch of whom appears in this
work. Mr. Wolfe, who is the eldest of his
parents' family of two sons and a daughter,
was reared in Harrison township, where he
received scanty schooling in the Dudgeon
district. When his father died he was only
six years old, and being the oldest of the
family the care of the farm and a great deal
of hard work devolved upon him in his ef-
fort to keep their little household together
and place the family on a substantial foot-
ing. He developed into a practical and suc-
cessful farmer, and he is now the owner of
one hundred and twenty-six acres of good
land, which is under a high state of cultiva-
tion, is well provided with buildings and is
in every way well equipped for successful
operations. He is a breeder of thorough-
bred American Delaine sheep, of which he
has a fine herd, more than twenty-fivQ of his
sheep being registered.
February 7, 1878, Mr. Wolfe married
Miss Mary J. Ulery, daughter of Valentine
and Lydia Ann (Uhl) Ulery. Mrs. Wolie,
who was the second of the five children of
her parents, was born at Killbuck, Holmes
county, Ohio, but was reared in Harrison
township, Knox county, where she was edu-
cated in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs.
Wolfe began housekeeping in a log house
on the site of their present residence. The
latter was built in 1881 and is a substantial
frame structure in every way adequate and
comfortable. Mr. Wolfe, who is an ardent
Democrat, has filled the office of justice of
the peace for more than six years and has
for many years been a member of the town-
ship school board, in which capacity he was
influential in improving the standard of the
schools of the township and in erecting mod-
ern school buildings. He was received as
an Entered Apprentice, passed the Fellow
Craft degree and raised to the sublime de-
gree of Master Mason in Ohio Lodge, No.
199, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bladens-
burg; is a member of the order of Wood-
men of America, and is actively identified
with the Patrons of Husbandry. He haS-
long affiliated with the Christian church, in
which for many years he has filled the of-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
fice of deacon, and in the good work of the
church he has participated most helpfully.
Gary E. and Mary J. (Ulery) Wolfe
have two daughters — Cordia May, who mar-
ried Walter Earlywine, a contractor and
builder in Harrison township, and Estella
M., who is the wife of Willis Beboutt, and
has a daughter named Mary Elizabeth, who
is the only grandchild.
JOSEPH H. HAMILTON.
Rev. Joseph H. Hamilton is a super-
annuated minister of the Methodist Protest-
ant church, residing ii; Mount Vernon. For
more than a half century he devoted his life
to the work of the Christian ministry and
the influence of his labors has been incalcul-
able. He came to Knox county in 1855, and
during the greater part of the time since that
year his time and talents have been given
to the work of uplifting his fellow men in
this portion of Ohio, spreading the gospel
among those with whom he has been asso-
ciated and thus developing characters that
exemplify all that is highest and best in life.
Rev. Joseph Hamilton was born in Mus-
kingum township, Muskingum county, Ohio,
July 23, 1826, and is of Scotch lineage, for
his grandfather William Hamilton was a
native of Scotland and founded the family
in America. In West Virginia occurred the
birth of the Rev. William Hamilton, the
father of him whose name introduces this
record. He, too, became a preacher of the
Methodist Protestant church, and as early
as 1828 and 1829 he was engaged in pro-
claiming the gospel to the pioneer settlers
of this locality. He lived to be seventy-
eight years of age and left behind him the
memory of a noble hfe which remains as a
blessed benediction to all who knew him.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Lydia Springer, was a daughter of John
Springer and a granddaughter of Chris-
topher Springer, who settled in Wilmington,
Delaware, before the Revolutionary war.
Mrs. Hamilton died at the age of seventy
years. She was the mother of ten sons and
two daughters, and all of the former aver-
aged six feet in height. Four of the num-
ber served as soldiers in the Union army, in-
cluding Captain H. C. Hamilton, of Rich-
wood, Union county, Ohio, who commanded
a company of the Ninety-sixth Ohio Infan-
try. Another brother. Dr. Isaac Newton
Hamilton, of Marysville, Ohio, was a sur-
geon in the army, while a third. Dr. Thoma'S
Benton Hamilton, was a surgeon with an
Illinois regiment and died in Nashville, Ten-
nessee. Another member of the family was
Dr. John W. Hamilton, of Columbus, Ohio,
professor of surgery in the Starling Medical
College, and his sons are now eminent
physicians in Columbus. One of his
nephews was Governor John M. Hamilton,
of Illinois.
In the common schools Rev. Joseph H.
Hamilton pursued his education, and at the
age of eighteen he began to preach. His
time and talents have ever been devoted to
the service of the Master and he has been
instrumental in turning many from the er-
rors of their ways to walk in the straight
and narrow path which leads unto life ever-
lasting. For five years he was pastor of
the church in Steubenville, Ohio, and for
two years in Gircleville. He also spent two
3-ears in Lancaster and for three years oc-
cupied the pulpit of the Methodist Protestant
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
church in Brownsville, Licking county. In
1855 he came to Knox county, locating at
Fredericktown, where he preached for the
church for a number of years. In 1865 he
cnme to Mount Vernon and was pastor of
the church in this place for twelve years.
He had been connected with the Mount Ver-
non circuit for five years, and in his min-
isterial capacity has traveled extensively
throughout this county, preaching and labor-
ing for the upbuilding of the cause of Chris-
t-anity. During his long connection with
the ministry he has attended over fifteen
hundred funerals and has performed twelve
hundred and seventy-two marriage cere-
monies in Knox county. After fifty years
of active work in the ministry he was re-
tired in 1894 to a superannuated position,
and his rest is well deserved, for with un-
tiring zeal and in the most self-sacrificing
manner he has labored for the church, whose
interests have from his early life been most
dear to him.
Rev. Hamilton was united in the holy
bonds of matrimony, in Muskingum county,
to jMiss Charlotte M. Rodman, a daughter
of Joseph Rodman, a native of Bucks coun-
ty, Pennsylvania, and a representative of
one of the old families of that state. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been born two
sons and a daughter, the eldest being Ed-
ward C, a printer of Mount Vernon. The
second was Mrs. George Turner, of Mount
Vernon, who is now deceased. She and her
husband were of great assistance in church
work and her loss throughout the commu-
nity was deeply felt. Mary L., the young-
est, is the wife of W. E. Jackson, of Mount
Vernon. She is a graduate of Adrian Col-
lege, of Adrian, Michigan, and is a teacher
of music.
For fifty-five years Rev. Hamilton has
been a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, and for fifty-three years of
the Masonic fraternity, and has been a most
worthy representative of the fraternal spirit
of these orders, whose beneficent teachings
are founded upon the instruction which was
given by Him who came to minister and not
to be ministered unto. He is also identified
with the Soils of Temperance, has been rep-
resentative to the grand lodge and for years
served as its grand chaplain. Whatever tends
to advance kindliness, benevolence, tolerance,
the good, the just, the true and the right
has received his endorsement and his co-op-
eration as far as it lay in his power to give.
His church grew and prospered under his
labors, and the influence of his life cannot
be measured by any of the known standards
of this life.
GOSHORN A. JONES.
General Goshorn Alexander Jones has
passed the eighty-ninth milestone on the
journey of life, yet is still actively concerned
with business interests, managing his exten-
sive realty holdings. His has been an active,
industrious, useful and honorable career, and
through more than two-thirds of a century
he has resided in Mount Vernon, identified
with the business affairs of the city and with
all movements for the general welfare. He
was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania,
in 1812. His paternal grandfather was born
m the little rock-ribbed country of Wales,
and, deciding to try his fortune in America,
became the founder of this branch of the
Jones family. His son, Jacob Jones, the
father of our subject, was also a native of
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
213
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, whence he
removed to Washington county, that state,
his death occurring near Pittsburg. He
married Elizabeth Goshorn, also a native of
Franklin county.
In the state of his nativity General Jones
pursued his education in the primitive
schools of the times. It was in 1834 that
he determined to leave Pennsylvania and
seek his fortune in a district further west.
Accordingly he made his way to Knox coun-
ty, Ohio, and for sixteen years was con-
nected with the mercantile interests of
Mount Vernon, meeting with good success
in that undertaking. In 1850, however, he
turned his attention to contracting, and has
since been engaged in that business. He has
contributed in large measure to the upbuild-
ing and improvement of the city as the years
have passed by and now owns a large
amount of property here, which he still man-
ages, although he is now eighty-nine y.ears
of age. Such a history of continued useful-
ness should put to shame many a man of
much younger years, who, grown weary of
the struggle and trials of business life, would
relegate to others the burdens tliat he should
bear.
In this city General Jones was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah Raymond, a
daughter of the Rev. Nathan Raymond, a
}>Iethodist Episcopal minister who resided
in this city for a number of years, coming
to the west from New York. 'Sir. and Mrs.
Jones have two children, Fred, who takes
railroad contracts and makes his home in
Mount Vernon, and Ida, the wife of James
Israel.
The General has been c|uite prominent in
public affairs aside from his business rela-
tions. In 1840 he joined the Ohio militia
as a member of the cavalry, was elected bri-
gade general of the district and served with
that rank for nine years, on the expiration of
which period he withdrew from military
service. For two terms he served as United
States marshal under President Zachary
Taylor, and for many years he was a mem-
ber of the city council of Mount Vernon.
He was born during the first administration
of President Madison and has therefore lived
during the rule of twenty-three of the twen-
ty-six presidents of the United States. He
has witnessed the wonderful development of
the country from a period long remote to
that seen by many men who are now prom-
inent in business and at all times he has kept
in touch with the universal progress. His
life has been one of beneficial activity and in
the evening of his pilgrimage he receives the
honor and respect which should e\-er be ac-
corded to one of advanced years.
GEORGE SYLVANUS BENNETT.
Dr. George S. Bennett is a native son of
this citv, and his early education was ob-
tained in its public schools. His paternal
grandfather, Sylvanus Bennett, was born on
Long Island, but when a young man re-
moved to a farm adjoining the fort of Ticon-
deroga. He was a gallant soldier during the
war of 1812. His father, John Bennett, was
killed during the Revolutionary war. He
was a resident of Long Island, where the
family had been established at a very early
date, they having come to America from
England in the latter part of the seventeenth
century.
Clark Lester Bennett, the father of our
214
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
subject, resided on his father's farm at Fort
Ticonderoga for a number of years, and the
property is still owned by members of the
family. In 1824 he came to Mount Vernon,
Ohio, where he became well and favorably
known. In an early day he served his local-
ity as a constable and as city marshal. As a
companion and helpmate on the journey of
life Mr. Bennett chose Nancy Jones, the eld-
est child of James- Jones, who came from
Essex county. New York, tO' Knox county,
Ohio, in 1824, where he became a prominent
and leading farmer. His death occurred at
the age of seventy-five years. Mrs. Ben-
nett's maternal grandfather, Thomas Pat-
terson, died in Essex county. New York, at
the age of one hundred and twenty-four
years. Her brother, Lorenzo Jones, was a
brave soldier throughout the Texan war.
Six children blessed the marriage of Mr.
and ;\Irs. Bennett, and the brothers of our
subject are: Captain Henry P., of Mount
Vernon ; Murr}^ J., who' died in Columbus,
Ohio, in 1888, at the age of fifty-five years;
and J. Burr, who died at Columbus, Ohio,
in 1890, at the age of fifty-one years. The
first named. Captain Henry P. Bennett,
sen-ed in the Mexican war as a member of
the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, while
during the Civil war he was first lieutenant
of Company B, Ninety-sixth Ohio' Volun-
teer Infantr>% and subsequently promoted
to the rank of captain of Company A, of the
same regiment. He died in Mount Vernon,
November 2. 1901. J. B. Bennett was a
member of Company E, Twentieth Ohio
\^olunteer Infantry, during that memorable
struggle. The daughters of the family were :
Elizabeth, who married J. P. Snook, and
both he and his wife are now deceased ; and
Eliza, deceased. She became the wife of B.
A. F. Greer, of Knox county, Ohio. He
also offered his services to his country when
the trouble arose between the north and the
south, becoming a member of the Twentieth
Ohio Infantry, and after three years of
faithful service he was promoted to the rank
of colonel, serving in a regiment in Han-
cock's Corps. He became very prominent
in the public life of this county, and from
1873 until 1875 served as probate judge,
and was also a prominent attorney of Mount
Vernon. His death occurred in this city in
1880, at the age of forty-six years. The
mother of our subject passed away in death
m October, 1880, at the age of eighty years,
and in the following year her husband joined
her in the spirit world, dying at the age of
eighty-one years.
George S. Bennett, whose name intro-
duces this review, enlisted for service in the
Civil war when eighteen years of age, be-
coming a member of the Twentieth Ohio In-
fantry% Company E, with Captain George
Rogers in command. After one years' ser-
vice therein he was made a member of the
One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio In-
fantry, in which he remained until hostilities
had ceased and the country no longer needed
his services. After his army career was
ended Mr. Bennett took up the study of
medicine under Dr. Matthew Thompson, re-
maining under his able instruction for a
time, after which he entered the medical de-
partment of the Western Reserve College,
of Cleveland, Ohio, in which he was gradu-
ated in 1868. After leaving that institution
he followed his chosen profession at Chester-
ville. Morrow county, Ohio, for three years,
and then returned to his old home in Mount
Vernon, since which time he has been en-
easred in the liverv business. He has met
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
with success in this Hne of trade, and his is
one of the best equipped and leading barns
of the city. As a result of his straightfor-
ward dealing and close attention to his busi-
ness he is now enjoying a liberal patronage,
and he has not only secured a handsome
competence but has materially advanced the
interests of the community with which he is
associated.
The lady who now bears the name of
Mrs. Bennett was in her maidenhood Miss
Olive Long. Her father, Thomas Long,
was a resident of Mount Vernon, but his
death occurred many years ago. The family
came originally from Pennsylvania. In his
social relations Mr. Bennett is a member of
Joe Hooker Post, No. 21, G. A. R., of Mount
Vernon, in which he maintains pleasant re-
lations with his old army comrades who
wore the blue. In politics, he is a true Re-
publican.
SYLVADORE JACKSON.
If there is one characteristic that stands
out more strongly than others in the history
of the Jackson family it is that of loyalty — a
loyalty which has been manifest by active
service in the different important wars of the
country and by absolute fearlessness in the
performance of duty. Sylvadore Jackson
has this characteristic of his ancestors and in
his life record there is much that indicates a
most lofty patriotism. The country owes to
him a debt of gratitude for what he accom-
plished in its behalf, and his name should be
placed high on the roll of those whose loyalty
to the Union in the dark days of the Civil
war resulted in active and beneficial service.
The Jackson family was founded in
America in 1625 by ancestors who came
from Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania.
Joseph Jackson, the grandfather of our sub-
ject, was born in the Keystone state in 1761,
and in 1775, when only fourteen years of
age, ran away from his home — in the sub-
urbs O'f Philadelphia — in order to enlist in
the Continental army. He served through-
out the war, giving valiant aid to the cause
of freedom, and was present at the surrender
of Comwallis, His brothers, James and
Isaac, were both officers in the American
army, one serving as captain, the other as
lieutenant. Joseph Jackson, many years
after the freedom of the colonies had been
won, emigrated westward, taking up his
abode in Newark township, Licking county,
Ohio, in 1805. There he spent his remain-
ing days, passing away in 1818, at the age of
fifty-eight years.
His son, Joseph Jackson, Jr., the father
of our subject, was also a native of Pennsyl-
vania, and in the war of 1S12 he served his
country as a member of a Virginia reg'iment.
In 1 81 5 he went to Licking county, taking
up his abode in Newark township, where he
became identified with industrial interests.
He was caught in a fulling mill and was thus
scalded to death in 1837, when forty-three
years of age. Mrs. Jackson, who bore the
maiden name of Mollie Cummins, was a na-
tive of Licking county, and a daughter of
Thomas Cummins, who came to this state
from Union county, Pennsylvania.
Sylvadore Jackson, familiarly known as
Saint Jackson, whose name introduces this
review, was born in Licking county, in 1832,
and there was reared to manhood, pursuing _
his education in the public schools and work-
ing at baker's and confectioner's trades in
his vouth. From 1856 until 1859 he was en-
2l6
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
gaged in business in the city of Newark, but
previous to this time he had rendered effec-
tive sen-ice in the cause of freedom in Kan-
sas. In the fall of 1855 he went to that por-
tion of the country, and was allied with the
"free state" men, being connected with the
forces of Montgomery. He aided in driving
out the border men and was twice wounded
in one night — the night he rode forty miles
to assist in the rescue of Lawrence. In 1856
he visited Omaha and Council Bluffs and in
twelve days walked from Council Bluffs to
Iowa City. He then returned home and
took an active part in the Fremont cam-
paign, earnestly championing the first stand-
ard bearer of the new Republican party
which was formed to prevent the further ex-
tension of slavery. While in Kansas he had
known and acted with John Brown.
In November, 1859, Mr. Jackson came
to Mount Vernon and established a bakery
and grocery, which he conducted for two
years. He then disposed of his business and
in December, 1861, went to the south, but
was taken with rheumatism and for ten
months lay in the hospital at Nashville be-
fore he could do anything. Unable for field
service he soon returned to the north where
the work which he performed for the govern-
ment was of the most important character.
Prior to 1863 several provost marshals had
been appointed for Knox county but had
failed to keep down the spirit of rebellion by
not arresting the deserters and rebels. At
length the county became overrun with such
men. In 1863 Major Hadley spent the entire
day of June 17th in the streets trying to find
a man who would carry dispatches to the
commander in Holmes county, but the dan-
ger of such a mission, owing to the presence
of many southern sympathizers, was very
great, and no one would volunteer. At
length the Alajor was told that Mr. Jackson
would carry the dispatches. The whole
county was picketed by the rebels, but Mr.
Jackson got Major Cooper to give him a fic-
titious warrant for a horse thief and he start-
ed. He was stopped by two rebels but he
told them he was after a horse thief and that
the man was an abolitionist, so they let him
pass. At length he reached his destination
and delivered the messages in safety. This
was reported to the government and Mr.
Jackson was immediately reported provost
marshal for Knox county, in which capacity
he served until the close of the war. He ar-
rested altogether over three hundred desert-
ers in this county and its borders, and no
man that he was after ever got away. He
was here and heard Valandingham make the
speech for which he was arrested and tried.
He also went on special duty a number of
times to Holmes county, which was the hot-
bed of copperheads in this state. Seven
times he was shot at during the period of his
service as provost marshal and on one occa-
sion while arresting a deserter in Mount Ver-
non he was so injured that he eventually
lost the sight of his eyes. For thirty years
he has been unable to recognize any one and
for five years has been totally blind. Thus
great has been the sacrifice which he made
for his country, but he counted not the cost
when engaged in the performance of his
duty. He never wavered or faltered no mat-
ter what the risks, and no greater bravery
was manifest on the field of battle. On one
occasion three men lay all night by the side
of the road where they expected him to pass,
intending to kill him, but his horse wandered
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
217
off intoi the wrong road and he was thereby
saved. In 1865-66 he served as deputy
sheriff.
Mr. Jackson was married in Licking
county to Miss Martha Jane Smith, a daugh-
ter of Daniel A. Smith, a native O'f Mary-
land. He served in the war of 1812 and
soon afterward came to Licking county,
where he died in 1883, at the very venerable
age of ninety-two years. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Mitchell,
passed away at the age of eighty-five. Her
people came from Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, to Ohio. By the marriage ol Mr.
and Mrs. Jackson was born one son, Charles
Ellsworth, who is a graduate of the Cincin-
nati College of Music and is now located in
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Such in brief is
the history of one of Knox county's most
honored and respected citizens, — a man who
in every relation of life has been true to what
he believed to be his duty, who has consci-
entiously met every obligation and whose
sterling worth of character has gained for
him many warm friends.
FRANK WATKINS.
Frank Watkins is numbered among
Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred
in Steubenville fifty-seven years ago, his pa-
rents being Edwin and Eliza (Brown) Wat-
kins. The former was born in England, but
came to the United States many years ago,
and died in Steubenville. The latter was a
daughter of General Harvey Brown, of
Pennsylvania, who served in the Civil war
as a brave and gallant officer. Both the
Watkins and Brown families were of Eng-
lish lineage. The subject of this review is
a cousin of Williami Dean Howells, the
noted American writer of fiction, whose sto-
ries, representing the highest type of the
realism in art, have found favor with a
broader reading public than those of any
other American writer. Mr. Watkins is also
an uncle of Paul and Vaughn Kester, sons
of his sister, Mrs. Hattie Kester. Both gen-
tlemen were born in Mount Vernon and
have become distinguished in literary cir-
cles. Paul Kester is the author of a most in-
teresting work. The Life of the Gypsies, and
also dramatized the book When Knighthood
Was in Flower. He also wrote the play
which is now being presented by Ada Re-
han, Sweet Nell of Old Drury, and is the
author of several plays used by Salvini.
Vaughn Kester has recently completed and
published a work entitled, The Manager of
the B. & O., which promises to be very pop-
ular. Both brothers attended the schools
of Alount Vernon and of Cleveland, Ohio,
and Vaughn Kester is now in the office of
his cousin, William Dean Howells. They
now reside at a beautiful home on the Po-
tomac, seven miles below Washington and
in the literary world they have already at-
tained prominence which promises to be-
come greater as the years pass by.
Mr. Watkins, of this review, spent his
youthful days in Delaware county, Ohio,
and was educated at the Delaware College.
About 1874 he came to Mount Vernon,
where he has since made his home with the
exception of ten years passed in the city of
Boston, and for the past twenty-nine j^ears
he has been in the employ of the Tabor Art
Company, which is now located at Spring-
field, Massachusetts. He was married here
in 1876 to Miss Mary Blackstone Banning,
21.8
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
youngest daughter of James S. Banning,
and a grand-daughter of the Rev. Anthony
Banning, one of the most distinguished citi-
zens of Knox county at an early day. He
became identified with the pioneer develop-
ment of the state and was not only promi-
nent in business but left the impress of his
strong individuality for good upon the pub-
lic policy of the district and had marked
influence in shaping public thought and ac-
tion. The Bannings have also been leaders
in the social life of Mount Vernon from the
earliest days and Mrs. Eliza (Blackstone)
Banning, the mother of ]\Irs. \\'atkins, did
much toward raising the standard of culture
and refinement when in her early married
life she came to Knox county, which was
then just emerging from frontier conditions.
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have one daughter,
Lila. They are widely known in Knox
county and the circle of their friends is al-
most coextensive with the circle of their ac-
quaintance. Mr. Watkins gives his political
support to the Republican party.
GEORGE E. CANNING.
In a review of a list of those who are
occupying public positions of trust in ]\Iount
Vernon appears the name of George E.
Canning, who is administering the business
of the post office in the same straightfor-
ward and energetic manner that rendered
him a prominent factor in commercial circles
in this city for fifteen years. He was ap-
pointed postmaster by President McKinley
in 1898 and through the intervening period
he has won high encomiums from the public
for his reliability and efiiciencv.
]\Iount Vernon is ]\Ir. Canning's native
city and to its public school system he is in-
debted for the educational privileges which
he enjoyed. His father, William Canning,
a native of England, is still residing in
Mount Vernon and for many years was en-
gaged in wheat buying, acting as general
manager for the Norton Mills, but now he
is living retired from business cares. He
married Rebecca Stinchcomb, a native of
JMaryland, and a daughter of Enoch Stinch-
comb, who formerly resided in Pike town-
ship, Knox county, but is now deceased.
In his parents' home Mr. Canning, of this
review, spent his childhood days, and after
arriving at man's estate embarked in the
meat market business in Mount Vernon,
conducting his store for fifteen years, during
which time he enjoyed a good trade. He
became well known as a reliable and trust-
worthy citizen and therefore received the
endorsement of the majority of his fellow
townsmen when he was spoken of for post-
master. The appointment came in 1898,
and in discharging the duties of the ofiice he
has displayed the same energetic business
like methods that characterized his conduct
of his store.
Mr. Canning was married in Mount
Vernon to Miss Lulu Maude Gordon, a rep-
resentative of one ai the pioneer families of
the county. Her grandfather, Silas Gordon,
resided in Wayne township and was an ac-
tive and influential citizen, well known
throughout this portion of the state. Her
father. Dr. J. C. Gordon, was a physician
who located in IMount Vernon after the
Civil war and practiced here for a number of
years, but is now deceased. The marriage
of Mr. and Mrs. Canning has been blessed
with one son, George Edward. Our subject
OF KXOX COUNTY, OHIO.
219
has always been a stalwart Republican in
politics and, keeping well informed on the
issues of the day, is able to support his posi-
tion by intelligent argument. For several
years he has served on the Republican county
executive committee, and his efforts have
contributed largely to his party's advance-
ment. He has been identified with the mili-
tary interests of the state, having, at the age
of twenty-one years, become a member of
Company C, Seventeenth Regiment of Ohio
National Guard, in which he served as sec-
ond lieutenant for ten months, and at the
age of twenty-two was elected captain, act-
ing in that capacity until 1886, when he re-
signed. He belongs to the Knights of Pyth-
ias fraternity, of which he is a past chancel-
lor and for several years was captain of the
Uniformed Rank. He also belongs to the
jVIasonic fraternity, in which he has attained
to the rank of Knight Templar. His up-
right manhood, loyal citizenship and genial
nature render him a popular and valued res-
ident of his native citv.
HON. PATRICIv A. BERRY.
Hon. Patrick Austin Berry, who is now
representing" Knox county for the second
time in the state legislature is one of the lead-
ing and influential young men of this part of
the state, being a recognized leader in poli-
tical circles as well as in professioiral ranks,
for he is a well known and capable mem-
ber of the bar. He was born in Howard
township, this county, December 23, 1869,
and on the parental side is of Irish lineage.
His grandfather, James Berry, was born in
county Tipperary, Ireland, and on coming
to America located in Belmont county, Ohio.
There he was married to Lucy Harding,
whose people were closely connected with
the Masons of the Old Dominion. John
Berry, the father of our subject, was born
in St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Oct. 11,
1824, but came with 'his parents to Knox
county in 1836, where he has since made his
"home. He has been prominent in township
affairs, serving as trustee and in other local
offices, and wherever he is known commands
the respect and confidence he so richly mer-
its. He wedded Mary A. Critchfield, a
daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cle-
ments) Critchfield. Her father came to this
county in pioneer days and was one of the
early settlers of Howard township. His
father, William Critchfield, was one of the
very early pioneers who emigrated to Knox
county, Ohio, from' Maryland.
In taking up the personal history of Pat-
rick A. Berry we present to our readers the
life record of one who is well known in
this portion of Ohio, for he has always lived
the greater part of his life in this locality
and his worth is widely recognized. He
was educated in the common schools of his
native county, in the Danville Normal Acad-
emy, in Bethany College, West Virginia, and
in the University of Michigan, at Ann Ar-
bor, graduating from the latter institution
in June, 1892, with the degree of LL. B.
Immediately after graduating he took up the
practice of the law in Atlanta, Georgia, but
at the end of five years, on account of the cli-
mate, was compelled to abandon practice
there. Returning to his old home, he took up
the practice of his profession at Mount Ver-
non where he has practiced continually since.
Mr. Berry was united in marriage Au-
gust 17, 1899, to Miss Elizabeth Kirk Cam-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
eron, a daughter of Robert M. and Rachel
(Mayers) Cameron, of Millersburg, Holmes
county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Berry hold mem-
bership in the Christian church, and socially
he is identified with the Knights of Pythias
and Masonic fraternity. His political support
is unwaveringly given the Democracy, and
on its ticket he was elected to represent Knox
county in the state legislature in 1899, and
re-elected in 1901, although the county us-
ually give a Republican majority. His elec-
tion was therefore a proof of his personal
popularity and the confidence reposed in him
by his fellow citizens, and neither was this
confidence abused, for his course in the
house was marked by conscientious fidelity
to whatever he believed to be beneficial
measures for the general welfare. At the
bar he is continually giving evidence of in-
creased power and ability as experience and
study add to his knowledge and he imdoubt-
edly has a very successful future before him.
WILLIAM E. GRANT.
Admitted to the bar in 1888 ^^'illiam E.
Grant has since been a member of the legal
fraternity of Mount Vernon, and by merit
and determination has arisen to an enviable
position among the members of his profes-
sion in Knox county. He was born in the city
wliich is still his home, his natal day being
in 1862. The family is of Scotch lineage
and was early founded in New England.
Peters Grant, his great-great-grandfather,
was captain of a company of the Connecti-
cut militia in the Revolutionary war and
with patriotic valor aided in overthrowing
British supremacy on this continent. The
grandfather of our subject was Isaac
Grant and his father, Benjamin Grant. The
latter was born in Vermont and with a hope
of bettering his financial condition in the
west he emigrated to Ohio in 1854, taking
up his abode in Mount Vernon, where he es-
tablished a dry-goods store. In i860 he was
appointed revenue assessor for this district
and for fifteen years he was deputy collector
of internal revenue, resigning that position
in 1875. He was very active in Republi-
can circles and his long continuance in office
indicated unmistakably his capable and effi-
cient service. His death occurred in 1894,
when he had attained the age of seventy-two
years. He married Elizabeth Ann Willey,
of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of William
Willey, an early resident of that portion of
the state. Our subject is now the only rep-
resentative of the Grant family in the male
line. His brother, Charles H. Grant, died
in Mount Vernon, January i, 1898, at the
age of thirty-one years. He had completed
his education in Kenyon College and for
several years was engaged in the men's furn-
ishings business, while for three years prior
to his death he was the city editor of the
Mount Vernon Republican. There is one
living sister, Miss Ella Grant, a resident of
this city.
At the usual age William E. Grant en-
tered the public schools of his native city
and later continued his studies in tiie Kenyon
Military Academy and Kenyon College. He
then began prepartion for the bar in the
office of Hon. H. H. Greer and in 1888 was
admitted to the bar. Immediately after-
ward he opened his office in his native city,
and his career sets at naught the old adage
that a prophet is never without honor save
in his own countrv, for in his native citv.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
where he is so well known, he has continual-
ly advanced, industriously pursuing a prac-
tice which is yearly increasing in volume and
importance.
Mr. Grant is quite prominent in the
Masonic fraternity, being identilied with its
various bodies and with the Mystic Shrine.
He is also a member of the Knights of Pyth-
ias. A social, genial manner has made
him popular and his circle of friends is al-
most co-extensive with the circle of his ac-
quaintances.
WALTER H. AND GEORGE E. THAYER
The name of Thayer has long been as-
sociated with the history of the promotion of
industrial interests in Mount Vernon, and
the brothers are now actively engaged in the
grocery business on Sandusky street. They
are native sons of this city, and during their
long residence in this locality they have won
and retained the friendship of all with whom
they have had business or social intercourse.
Their father, Alford Thayer, came to the
Buckeye state from Lowell, Massachusetts,
and during the Civil war he nobly served his
country as a defender of the stars and
stripes.
For the past two and a half years the
Thayer Brothers have been engaged in the
grocery business in Mount Vernon, and they
now have six wagons upon the road engaged
in gathering produce among the farmers of
the surrounding country. They carry a large
and complete line of fancy and staple grocer-
ies, and the firm are progressive and enter-
prising men who well merit the success
which crown their efforts. Before entering
the grocery trade, however, the brothers
were anployed as barbers for thirteen years.
Walter H. Thayer was united in mar-
riage to Miss Nellie Stanton, a daughter of
James B. Stanton, one of the early pioneers
of Stanton, West Virginia. The youngest
brother, George E., chose Miss Casey
Pierce as a life companion. She is a native
of Washington county, Ohio. The brothers
are identified with the Republican party, and
from 1895 until 1897 Walter H. Thayer was
a member of the city council. In his social
relations he is a member of the Uniformed
Rank of the Knights of Pythias fraternity,
while his brother is identified with the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows. The Thay-
er Brothers are indeed successful business
men, whose resolute purpose and determina-
tion have enabled them to; overcome many
obstacles and work their way steadily up-
ward to success, and as a result of their well
directed labors and straightforward business
methods they are now enjoying a large and
lucrative patronage.
JOHN KIRK BAXTER.
John Kirk Baxter, superintendent of the
Mount Vernon schools, is a native of West
Liberty, Muscatine county, Iowa, a son of
William A. Baxter, a native of Columbiana
county, Ohio. The latter owned and oper-
ated mills at East Rochester, at West Lib-
erty, Iowa, and in many other places. His
death occurred in 1889, when he had reach-
ed the fifty-ninth milestone on the journey
of life. His father, Harvey Baxter, was a
native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl-
vania, and the latter's father came to this
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
country from the Emerald Isle. The mother
of our subject bore the maiden name of
Hannah Ball and was a daughter of James
and Mary (Baum) Ball, formerly of Colum-
biana county, Ohio. They afterwards re-
moved to Iowa, and there they passed to
their final rest. The father was a very prom-
inent man in Muscatine county, Iowa, where
he served as postmaster and also held other
positions of honor and trust.
John Kirk Baxter, the subject of this re-
view, was taken to Columbiana county,
Ohio, when a child, but afterward removed
to Trumbull county, and next took up his
abode in Carroll county. At the early age
of sixteen years he took up the profession of
teaching, which he followed in the common
schools of Carroll county and in the gram-
mar schools of Malvern, that county, having
also for five years served as superintendent
of schools at the latter city. He subsequent-
ly became a student in Hiram College, grad-
uating in that institution with the class of
1890, and from' that year until 1898 he
served as principal of the high school of
Mount Vernon. During his incumbency the
school grew in attendance from one hundred
and thirty-five pupils, with three teachers,
to two hundred and fifty pupils, with seven
teachers. A new building has also been
erected, which is used exclusively f.or high
school purposes and contains ten rooms. It
also contains an auditorium, which has a
seating capacity for seven hundred persons.
In 1898 Mr. Baxter was appointed to the
responsible position of superintendent of
the Mount Vernon schools, succeeding the
Hon. L. D. Bonebrake, who filled the posi-
tion for nine years and is now state commis-
sioner of schools. Mr. Baxter has devoted
m.any years of his life to the task of instruct-
ing the young along lines of mental advance-
ment, and in the line of his chosen profes-
sion he has met with a high and well merited
degree of success. He now has under his
immediate supervision seven school build-
ings, containing one thousand four hundred
and fifty pupils and thirty-two teachers.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs.
Baxter was in her maidenhood Miss Jose-
phine Ross, of Malvern, Carroll county,,
Ohio. She is a daughter of Samuel I. Ross,
a member of a prominent and honored pio-
neer family of that locality who have resided
here for two or three generations. Mr. Ross
took a prominent part in the local affairs of
his community, and was recognized as a wor-
thy and representative citizen. In his social
relations Mr. Baxter is a member of the Ma-
sonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities,
and religiously he holds membership in the
Christian church, in which he is serving as
an elder and is also a member of the official
board.
EDWARD CONWAY BEGGS, D. D. S.
Dr. Edward Conway Beggs, the leading
dentist of Mount Vernon, is a native son of
the Buckeye state, his birth occurring in Gal-
lia county. His father, George W. Beggs,
also a native of that county, was promi-
nently engaged in the newspaper business in
Gallipolis, Ohio, and in Charleston, West
Virginia. He was an active worker in the
ranks of the Republican party, and during
the Civil war he served as a member of the
Thirty-sixth Ohio Regiment, in which he
rendered efficient service to the Union army.
His father, James Beggs, was one of the
early pioneers of Gallia county, Ohio, re-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
223
moving to that place from York, Pennsyl-
vania. The mother of our subject bore the
maiden name of Taphena McAIillen and was
a native of Gallia county, her father, Ed T.
McMillen, also claiming that county as the
place of his nativity. He served as the first
sheriff of the county and also held the office
of justice of the peace. The McMillens or-
iginally came from Pennsylvania, and the
maternal grandmother of our subject, Laura
Holcomb, was a member of one of the lead-
ing eastern families of Gallia county. The
great-grandfather of our subject. General
Ansel T. Holcomb, was a paymaster in the
Revolutionary war, and was one of the early
abolitionists of Gallia county, Ohio. Our
subject now has three brothers, namely :
Frank Leslie, a chemist of Newark, Ohio;
Qiarles T., a prominent salesman of Pitts-
burg, Pennsylvania, and W. J., who is en-
gaged in the insurance business in Colum-
bus, Ohio, in company with Hon. William
Hahn, of Mansfield, and Colonel Fletcher,
of Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Beggs, the immediate subject of this
review, received his professional training in
the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cin-
cinnati, In 1891 he took up his abode in Co-
lumbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in
practice for three years, on the expiration of
which period he came to Mount Vernon,
where he has built up a large and lucrative
patronage, his patrons coming to him from
all parts of the state. As a companion on
the journey of life he chose Miss Martha
Niewvahner, of Jackson county, Ohio, and
a daughter of H. Niewvahner, who came to
this country from Germany. One child has
blessed this union, Mary Taphena. Dr.
Beggs is a prominent and active member o.f
the Presbyterian church, and in his social
relations he is a member of nearly all the
bodies of the Masonic order, of the Knights
of Pythias and of the Maccabees. He is
nO'W serving as recorder of the Knights of
Pythias fraternity. The Doctor occupies a
high position in the ranks of the dental fra-
ternity, and is also recognized as one of the
leading and influential citizens of Knox
county.
WILLIAAI L. BOTTEXFIELD.
The subject of this review is a well-
known farmer of Milford township, Knox
county, Ohio, whose skill and ability in his
chosen calling are plainly manifest in the
well tilled fields and neat and thrifty appear-
ance of his place. He was born in Greene
county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of May,
1839. His grandfather, John Bottenfield,
was a native of the Old Dominion, of Ger-
man descent. He subsequently left the state
of his nativity and removed to Pennsylvania,
and in Greene county, that state, his son,
John Bottenfield, Jr., the father of our sub-
ject, was born. In October, 1839, the latter
came to Knox county, Ohio, locating in Mil-
ford township, where he passed away in
death in his seventy-third year. He was a
farmer and cooper by trade, and was a Dem-
ocrat in his political views, having on its
ticket been elected to many positions of
trust and responsibility. For his wife he
chose Mary Woodruft', a native also of New
Jersey, and she, too, was reared and educated
in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Her death
occurred when she had reached the seventy-
fourth milestone on the journey of life. Her
father, Abial Woodruff, of English ancestry,
claimed New Jersey as the state of his nativ-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ity, living near Newark, but in an early day
he located near Zollarsville, Greene county,
Pennsylvania.
William L. Bottenfield, the youngest of
ten children in his parents' family, was but
six months old when he was brought by his
parents to Knox county, and the educational
advantages which he enjoyed in his youth
were those afforded by the district schools
of Milford township. During his early years
he assisted his father with the labors of the
farm, and he continued to care for his par-
ents during their declining years. After his
marriage he purchased and removed to the
farm which he yet owns, consisting of one
hundred and fifty acres of rich and excellent
land, and there he is successfully engaged in
farming and stock-raising. In addition to
this valuable homestead he also owns resi-
dence property in Newark, Ohio.
September ii, 1872, in Milford town-
ship, occurred the marriage of Mr. Botten-
field and Miss Clamana L. Stevens, a native
of this township, and a daughter of John
and Emeline (Terrell) Stevens. Her father
came from Vermont to the Buckeye state,
after his marriage, locating in Milford town-
ship. The mother was born in Milford
township, her parents being Curtis and
Phebe (Knowles) Terrell, who in 18 16,
came from Milford, Connecticut, and was
the second family to become permanent resi-
dents of this Milford township, which was
named injionor of their old eastern home.
Their old homestead is still owned by a sister
of Mrs. Bottenfield, Linda M. Higgins. One
son has blessed the marriage of our subject
and wife, Lee M., who is at home, assisting
in the operation of the farm. The Democ-
racy receives Mr. Bottenfield's hearty sup-
port and co-operation, and on its ticket in
1893 he was nominated for the position of
county commissioner, and, although he re-
ceived the highest number of votes of any
man on the ticket, he was defeated with the
entire ticket. He has held the position of
treasurer of his township, and in the locality
in which he has spent nearly his entire life
he is honored and respected by all who have
had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Active
in all that advances the interest of the farm
he served for years as a director and as vice-
president and president of the Hartford
Agricultural Society.
LEWIS BRITTON.
Lewis Britton, who for many years was
one of the leading and representative agri-
culturists of Howard township, Knox coun-
ty, passed away in death on the 28th of Sep-
tember, 1901. He was the first white child
born in Millwood, his natal day being Jan-
uary 29, 1828. His father, James Britton,
was a native of New Jersey, but when a
child was brought by his parents to Knox
county and was reared in Amity. His fath-
er, Samuel Britton, was also a native of
New Jersey, but became one of the early
pioneers of this county. He was a black-
smith by trade and was said to have been
a most excellent workman. The son, James,
spent his youth and early manhood under
the parental roof, often accompanying his
father to mill, to which they were obliged
to journey on horseback a distance of twen-
ty-five miles. After his marriage he lo-
cated at Millwood, Knox county, having
erected the first house in the village. This
was a hewed log structure and is still stand-
LEWIS BRITTON.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
225
ing, although it has been considerably trans-
formed. He also became a blacksmith, fol-
lowing that occupation for many years, but
about 1850 he removed to Iowa, locating
on a farm in Johnson county, not far from
Iowa City, where he made his home until his
death, at the age of eighty years. For many
years he was a faithful member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church, in which he was an
active worker and an officer. His political
faith was exemplified by the principles of
the Whig and the Republican parties.
Mr. Britton's first wife and the mother
of our subject, Hannah Porter, was a na-
ti\-e of Pennsylvania, but was brought by
her parents when a child to Knox county,
Ohio, where she died in 1844. Mr. Brit-
ton was again married in this county, and
after his removal to Iowa he was twice mar-
ried, and children were born of each union
with the exception of the last, there being
eight to attain mature years.
Lewis Britton, the eldest, was reared to
years of maturity in Millwood, the place of
his nativity, receiving his mental discipline
in the old log school house of the neighbor-
hood. When yet a boy he began to work
at the blacksmith's trade, but in his seven-
teenth-year opened a grocery store in Mill-
wood, which he conducted for about two
years. During the following year, in part-
nership with Dillen Brook, he conducted the
"Tavern'' and was then employed in the
general store of William Dillen, at Mill-
wood, removing the stock for his employer
to Marengo, Iowa, where he sold it to the
Indians. After one year spent in that state,
however, he returned to Millwood and
clerked in the general store O'f George Shaw
for a year and for four years in that of
Jonathan Hammond. He then purchased
the business of Mr. Hammond and was en-
gaged in its conducti for several years, a
part of the time having Christian Peterman
as a partner. During those years Millwood
was the principal trading point in Knox
county, draw'ing a large trade from an ex-
tensive territory. Under the administration
of President Buchanan the postoffice was
established there and Mr. Britton was the
first incumbent O'f the office. For some years
also he was a partner with George B. Pot-
w^in in selling goods at Mount Vernon, while
the venerable John Pouting, now^ retired,
was his associate and business partner over
an extended period. Probably no man had
a more extended business acquaintance in
Knox and the surrounding counties than
Mr. Britton, and certainly no man held
more exalted ideas of business honesty and
probity, his every transaction having been
characterized by open frankness and can-
dor. In the midst of a wide and remunera-
tive commercial activity the death of his
father-in-laAv demanded that personal at-
tention be given to the operation of his es-
tate, Mr. Britton yielding to the demands to
the extent of removing, in 1862, to the farm
in Howard township, where the remainder
of his life was passed. For thirty-five years
his attention was more especially given to
agriculture, in which he soon became as
much interested and of which he made as
great a success as he had done in merchan-
dising.
During all this time he was constantly
being urged to accept some local office, the
esteem in which he was held by all, regard-
less of party affiliation, being unbounded,
and he often served as trustee, treasurer or
assessor, discharging all public duties with
that fidelitv and exactness demanded bv his
226
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
private business. While yet in his minor-
ity he was defeated for coroner of the coun-
ty by but a small majority-, and in 1868 was
the Democratic nominee for auditor, lacking
but thirty-seven votes at a time when the
county was considered- largely Republican.
In 1876 he was chosen treasurer of the
county, residing in Mount Vernon during
his incumbency of that position, to the du-
ties of which he brought a clear mind, thor-
oughly trained through a long career of suc-
cessful private business, his conduct of the
office reflecting credit upon himself and
bringing honor to the county. While thor-
oughly imbued with the principles of the
Democratic party and an influential mem-
ber of the party, many of his warmest
friends were found among the Republicans,
who recognized in him a man of sterling
character and undoubted honesty of pur-
pose. While his later years were passed
upon the farm, he ever kept in close touch
with the public life of the county, seldom
a week passing that did not see him mingling
among his old friends and associates in
Mount Vernon. His interest in the public
welfare! never flagged, he ever bemg an
advocate of every measure intended tO' pro-
mote the progress of the community. His
"homestead consists of one hundred and sev-
ent}--five acres of rich and productive mnd,
the well cultivated fields annually returning
rich harvests, while the buildings which
adorn the place are among the most desira-
ble in the locality.
The marriage of Mr. Britton was cele-
brated on the i2th of March, 1855, when
Miss Elizabeth Critchfield became his wife.
She was born on the 19th of October, 1834,
a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Barkus)
Critchfield, who were among the early pi-
oneers of Howard township,- Knox- county,
their old homestead being the present Brit-
ton farm. Here she was reared to woman-
hood and here her parents lived and died,
Isaac Critchfield on the 15th of March,
1862, and Sarah, January 7, 1872. They
were among the highly respected citizens of
Howard township, contributing in many
ways to the growth and development of the
county as well as to the temporal, moral and
spiritual welfare of neighbors and friends.
Five children were born to them, Elizabeth
being the youngest. Her two brothers, Ba-
sil and Nelson, are deceased, while Melinda
is the wife of Vincent Miller and Mahala is
the wife_ of Noah Boynton. The union of
Mr. and Mrs. Britton was blessed with four
children who reached mature years, two
sons and two daughter, namely: LeGrand,
at home; Samuel H. Britton, M. D., who
graduated with honors at Kenyon College
and is now a prominent physician of Marion,
Ohio; Eva L., the wife of James M. Berry,
of Howard; and Nannie Alice, the wife of
Columbusi D. McCullough, identified with
the commercial interests of Mount Vernon.
April 17, 1897, after traveling hand in hand
for more than forty years Mr. Britton was
called upon to part with the companionship
of her whose wholesome advice and sound
judgment often proved a true support, and
from that time his interest in temporal af-
fairs seemed to yield to the longings for that
final rest and consolation thai would come
when he was once more united for eternity
with her whose love and devotion to him
and his children had so much to do in shap-
ing- his own course. Typhoid fever laid its
burning and devastating hand upon him,
only to end in freeing the soul from its
earthly body, the last hour coming on the
OFJKNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
227
28th of September, 1901, after upwards of
a month's distress. On Tuesday, the ist
of October, his body was followed by a large
concourse of friends and laid in the Valley
church cemetery beside her whose love had
sustained him in many an hour of trial. In
his social relations he was a member of the
Knights of Honor. In all positions which
he was called upon to fill he was highly suc-
cessful ; as a business man he was upright,
reliable and honorable; in all places and un-
der all circumstances he was loyal to truth,
honor and right ; and in those finer traits of
character which attract and endear man to
man in ties of friendship he was royally en-
dowed. Few men had more devoted friends
than he and none excelled him in unselfish
devotion and unswerving fidelity to the
worthy recipients of his confidence and
friendship.
LeGrand Britton was born at Millwood
Augxist 28, 1856, and from the age of six
was reared on the present home farm, re-
ceiving such education as the country and
village schools afforded. His marriage oc-
curred August 24, 1876, when he had just
passed his twentieth year, to Miss Ella
Critchfield, a daughter of Harris and Sarah
(McCarty) Critchfield. In 1890 Mr. Brit-
ton became a partner with George W. Mc-
Nabb in a general store at Howard, remov-
ing after two years to Adelaide, Marion
county, where for five years he conducted
the only store. Suffering a serious loss by
the destruction of his store and stock by
fire, he returned to assume the management
of the homestead for his father, and from
that time his attention has been \yholly cen-
tered upon the requirements of such an es-
tate. Like his father he early became identi-
fied with political work, being elected as a
trustee when quite young, a position in
which he was retained for thirteen years, re-
signing only when he removed from the
county. He was chosen postmaster, under
Qeveland's administration, at Adelaide,
where he also served as a justice of the
peace, being the only Democrat placed in
office in that township. In 1881 he was de-
feated for infirmary director by a small ma-
jority by his old teacher and life-long
friend. He was chosen by the court as the
Democratic member of the committee to ex-
amine the annual report of the county com-
missioners for 1 90 1, and was later named
for a similar place to examine the report of
the county treasurer. He is generally se-
lected as a delegate to the various conven-
tions of his party, in the work of which he is
an important factor, few men in Knox coun-
ty having a wider acquaintance with public
men or greater familiarity with practical
politics than he. He is a member of the
Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, be-
ing one of the most active local workers
in the latter society. His children are:
Bertha, wife of James Mitchell, of Marion,
Ohio; Lewis H., a student in the Starling
Medical college, Columbus, Ohio; Tamsy,
a student in the Gambler schools; and Carl
H., a student in the Howard high school.
Columbus Delano McCullough was born
on the old homestead known as the Colum-
bus Delano farm, near Mount Vernon, on
the 7th of November, 1872, and is a son of
Robert and Ellen (Miller) McCullough,
who soon thereafter removed to Howard
township, where he grew to maturity. At
the age of seventeen years he engaged as
a clerk in a general store at Howard, an oc-
cupation he has since followed with the ex-
ception of about five years in which he sold
228
A CENTfeNNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
insurance and worked in a factory in Akron.
For about one year he has been associated as
salesman with the Stadler Clothing Com-
pany, at Mount Vernon, where he is con-
sidered a capable and enterprising gentle-
man. He was married January 19, 1897,
to Miss Nannie Alice, the youngest daugh-
ter of the late Lewis Britton, and they have
one child, Robert, born July 14, 1901.
THEODORE S. PITKIN.
When the tocsin of war sounded and
from the workshops, the fields and the office
men flocked to the standard of the nation,
the patriotic spirit of Theodore S. Pitkin
was aroused and when only seventeen years
of age he donned the blue as a defender of
the Union. On the field of battle he dis-
played valor and resolution which equalled
that of veterans of more than twice his years
and not until the war ended and the flag of
the Union floated triumphantly over the
capitol of the confederacy did he leave the
army. From that time forward he has been
an actice factor in business and public af-
fairs in Knox county and is ever found sup-
porting the cause which he believes to be
right and the measures which he thinks will
promote the general welfare.
Mr. Pitkin was born in Milford town-
ship, Knox county, July 2, 1846, a son of
the Rev. John Pitkin, who was born and
reared in Vermont. The latter's father died
when the son was only eight years of age
and largely from' that time he depended up-
on his own resources. In early manhood he
came to Ohio and studied for the ministry
in Chillicothe, Ohio. He also attended col-
lege in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, and
throughout his remaining days he devoted
his time and talents to the Master's service
as a preacher of the Presbyterian denomin-
ation. In Chillicothe he married Eliza Wil-
son, a native of Charleston, South Carolina.
Her father, Rev. Robert Wilson, was also a
Presbyterian minister and for some time
president of Athens College. Rev. John
Pitkin served in the war of 181 2 and
his country and her institutions were ever
dear to him. He reached a very advanced
age, dying at his ninety-ninth year, while his
wife passed away in her sixty-first year.
They were the parents of ten children, six
sons and four daughters, and four of the
sons were soldiers in the Civil war — John,
Samuel, Ebenezer and Theo. S. John and
Ebenezer both died in the service. The
former served Company G, Twentieth Ohio
and Ebenezer was a member of Company A,
Ninety-sixth Ohio. Samuel served three
years in the First Minnesota Volunteer In-
fantry. He was wounded by a bayonet thrust
at the battle of Fredericksburg, and he par-
ticipated in many other important engage-
ments including those of Bull Run, Antie-
tam, Gettysburg and others. He is now liv-
ing in Portland, Oregon. The other brothers
of the family are Robert Pitkin, who was a
merchant in Iowa and is now deceased ; and
Rev. Paul, who is a teacher of languages at
Springfield, Masachusetts. The sisters were :
Mrs. Elizabeth Camp and Mrs. Mary -Smith,
both deceased; Emily, of Mount Vernon;
and Mrs. Sarah Hookway, who^ is als<j de-
ceased.
Mr. Pitkin of this review is the youngest
of the family. The days of his childhood
and youth were passed in Milford township,
where he attended the district schools.
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
229
In 1863, he donned the bkie uniform of
lis country and became a member of Com-
)any G, Twentieth Ohio Vohmteer Infant-
"y, the same in which his brother had served
ind in which he continued as a private until
he close of the war. He participated in
he Meridian raid and the engagements of
he Atlanta campaign. At Atlanta he was
vounded in the right breast by a gun shot
md was sent to the Marietta hospital. Later
le was in the hospital at Louisville, Ken-
;uck;y, and from: there was transferred to
he Covington hospital. After an absence
)f six months he was sent to Hilton
riead, South Carolina, rejoining his regi-
nent at Raleigh and participated in the
jrand Review in Washington, receiving an
lonorable discharge at Columbus. Mr. Pit-
cin returned to his home in Milford town-
ihip, Knox county, and resumed farming.
He was married November 30, 1871, to
Miss Mary F. Walton, a native of Greene
;ounty, Pennsylvania, whence she came to
:his county when seventeen years of age.
For six years she successfully engaged in
:eaching, following that profession until her
carriage. She has become the mother of
:ight children : Edith Estelle, who was a
leacher in the Mount Vernon schools and
ivhile taking a drive in company with an-
Dther teacher and pupils, was killed at Ball's
Crossing on the B. & O. Railroad, as was
ilso one of her pupils, Henry Rosenthal.
Harry W., who is a graduate of
Wooster College, of the class of 1900, and
is now a student in the Columbia Law
School in New York city: Robert W., Mary
F., Walter G., Eva S., Ethel E. and Ruth
E., all yet at home. Several of the children
tiave had the advantages of the High school
and Normal or College training, it being
their parents' desire to afford each such thor-
ough educational advantages as will amply
fit them for any responsible position.
Since his marriage Mr. Pitkin has re-
sided upon his present farm in Milford
township, where he owns and operates two
farms of two hundred acres of rich land,
which he has placed under a high state of
cultivation. He also has property in Mount
Vernon. He is a member of the Congrega-
tional church in Lock, is serving as one of
its deacons and takes an active part in its
work. In politics he is a stanch Republi-
can and he has been a member of Yager
Post, G. A. R., of Mount Liberty, since its
organization.
AMASA P. ROBERTSON, M. D.
The qualities which insure success to the
representatives of the medical fraternity are
possessed in large measure by Dr. Robertson,
who is now a prominent physician of Mount
Liberty. He was born near Cambridge, in
^Vashington county. New York, January 3.
1843. His father, Ezra S. Robertson, was
a native of the same locality, born September
6, 1809. In early life he learned the trade of
carriage and wagon making, and throughout
his entire life he followed those pursuits. On
the 1st of October, 1835, he married Miss
Sarah Pratt, who was born December 11.
1812, in Washington county. New York.
In 1844 they came to Knox county, locating
in Mount Liberty, where they spent their re-
maining days, the father passing away in
1880, while his wife died in 1889. He was
a member of the Presbyterian church, while
she belonged to the Methodist Episcopal
church. In his political views Ezra Robert-
230
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
son was a stalwart Republican and at all
times he was loyal in support of his honest
convictions. Both he and his wife were of
Scotch descent and they were people of the
highest respectability, their upright lives en-
titling them to the warm regard of all with
whom they were associated. They were the
parents of six sons and three daughters,
seven of whom are now living.
The Doctor had a twin brother, Jesse,
who lived to be twenty years of age. They
were only a year and a half old when brought
to Knox county, and in Centerburg and
Mount Liberty Dr. Robertson spent his
youth. He began his education in the dis-
trict schools and in the high school of Mount
Vernon continued his studies. He was grad-
uated in the Bryan & Tomlinson Commercial
College at Columbus in 1866, and soon after-
ward began the study of medicine. While
thus engaged he taught school in order to
meet his expenses while pursuing his studies,
which were directed by Dr. T. H. Van Kirk.
Later he entered the Eclectic Medical Insti-
tute in Cincinnati and was there graduated
with the degree of M. D., with the class of
1873. He then began practice at Mount
Liberty, where he has since remained, and
his practice has continually grown until the
multiplicity of his professional duties leaves
him little leisure time. He receives the pat-
ronage of many of the best families of the
town and surrounding county, and his suc-
cess is an indication of his skill and ability.
In November, 1873, the Doctor was
united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Thomp-
son, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, and
a daughter of John Thompson of that coun-
ty, who removed to Mount Liberty during
her early girlhood. By her marriage she has
become the mother of one daughter, Olive,
who is now a student in Otterbein Univer-
sity, where she is devoting special attention
to music. Fraternally the Doctor is a Mason
and in the line of his profession is connected
with the Ohio Medical Association. He be-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church and
in his political views is an earnest and zeal-
ous Republican. He belongs to the school
board and the cause of education finds in
him a warm friend. As a citizen he is ever
loyal to the best interests of county, state
and nation, and at the time of the Civil war
he manifested his patriotic spirit bv enlist-
ing, on the 1st of September. 1862, as a
member of Company F, One Hundred and
Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with
which he served until the close of hostilities,
being promoted from the ranks to the office
of sergeant major. He took part in a num-
ber of battles, went with Sherman on the
march to the sea, and also participated in
the grand review in Washington, the most
celebrated military pageant ever seen in the
Western Hemisphere. He was only away
from his company thirty days in three years.
Always found at his post of duty, he faith-
fully defended the cause he espoused and
was a valiant soldier. The same fidelity has
characterized him through life and has been
one secret of his success as a member of the
medical profession.
CLAYTON H. BISHOP.
Among the most enterprising and in-
fluential citizens of Centerburg and Knox
county is Clayton H. Bishop, the present effi-
cient postmaster and insurance and loan
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
231
agent. Starting out upon his business career
without capital, he has steadily and persist-
ently overcome all difficulties and advanced
to a prominent position in commercial circles.
He has a wide acquaintance in the county,
for he is one of her native sons, his birth
having occurred in Milford township, on
the nth of June, i860. His father, Allen
Bishop, was born in the same township and
is a farmer by occupation. There he yet
makes his home — one of the highly respect-
ed citizens of that community. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Nettie Way-
land, was born in South Bloomfield town-
ship. Morrow county, Ohio, and was there
reared when that locality was within the
borders of Knox county. By her marriage
she became the mother of six sons of whom
Clayton H. Bishop is the eldest.
On the family homestead in Milford
township the subject of this review spent his
boyhood days and the work of the farm
early became familiar to him through the
channels of practical experience. He at-
tended the district schools and continued his
education in Mount Liberty. When twenty-
one years of age he started out in life for
himself without capital and chose as the field
of his labors the insurance business, with
which he has since been connected. In 1884,
when twenty-four years of age, he opened
an office on his own account and purchased
the agency of Critchfield & Ashley. He has
long been well established in this line of
work and is now representing the Ohio
Farmers" Insurance Company, the Royal of
New York, the Underwriters, the Franklin
of Columbus, the National, the Hartford of
Hartford, the Milwaukee Mechanics', the
German of Freeport, Fire Association of
Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Underwrit-
ers' Insurance Company of North America
and many other reliable companies. He an-
nually writes a large amount of business
and he has three employes in his office.
Mr. Bishop is a man of excellent busi-
ness ability and executive force and his
sound judgment has proven a valuable fac-
tor in the successful control of other import-
ant enterprises. He is secretary of the Cen-
terburg Building & Loan Association, is one
of the stockholders and directors in the Cen-
terburg Bank, and has a farm of three hun-
dred and fifty acres in Milford township, in-
cluding the old family homestead, to which
he has added until it has reached its present
extensive proportions. This property yields
to him a good income. Added to the man-
agement of his other interests he is now
capably and acceptably serving as postmaster
to which position he was appointed by Presi-
dent McKinley in June, 1897, and on the
expiration of his first term, in June, 1901,
he was again appointed, so that his incumb-
enc}' will continue until 1905. In his ad-
ministration of the affairs of the office he is
prompt and notably reliable and has there-
fore won the unqualified support of the
public.
A free delivery was started from this
office in December, 1900, and since Febru-
ary I, 1902, three others have been establish-
ed, the four routes now serving all the sur-
rounding territory. One office, that of Lock>
has been closed.
On the 14th of January, 1882, oc-
curred the marriage of Mr. Bishop and Miss
Lizzie Bennington, a native of Pennsylva-
nia, in which state she was reared and edu-
cated. Prior to her marriage she was a
successful teacher in the public schools of
Centerburg. Mr. and Airs. Bishop now
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
have two sons. Ray B. and Guy C., both at
home. He is a stanch Republican in his
political affiliations and warmly endorses the
principles of the party. Socially he is con-
nected with the ]\Iasonic and Kniglits of
Pythias fraternities and religiously with the
Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is
now serving as trustee. The Cjualities of an
upright manhood are his, and though his life
history contains no startling or exciting
chapters there is much in his career that is
worthy of emulation, notably his fidelity to
duty and the determination and energy with
which he has advanced in business.
H. H. ROBERTSON.
One of the boys in blue of the Civil war,
and at all times a loyal citizen, true to the in-
terests of county, state and nation, H. H.
Robertson is numbered among the represen-
tative business men of Mount Liberty. He
was born in Washington county. New York,
on the 4th of September, 1840, and is a
brother of Dr. A. P. Robertson, whose
sketch, containing the family history, will be
found on another page of this volume. Our
subject is the third child in order of birth in
his parents' family, and his twin brother,
John T., is now a resident of Hilliar town-
ship, Knox county.
When only about four years of age the
subject of this review accompanied the fam-
ily on its removal to Knox county, Ohio, and
^e was reared in Mount Liberty and Center-
burg, also spending about fourteen years on
a farm in Hilliar township. During his
youth he attended the district schools of his
neighborhood, and- completed his education
in the high school of Alount Vernon. \\'hen
the Civil war was inaugurated he went to
the front as a defender of the Union cause,
enlisting- on the 5th of June, 1861, in Com-
pany B. Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
During his army career he participated in
twenty-seven battles, among them being
those of Winchester, Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg, and although he took part in
many hard-fought engagements during the
contest he was never wounded, but for three
months, on account of disability, he was con-
fined in a hospital. After a faithful service
of three years and fifteen days he was hon-
orably discharged, returning to his home
with a most creditable military record. After
the close of his army experience Mr. Robert-
son was engaged in farming near ]\Iount
Liberty for the following three years, but on
the expiration of that period he abandoned
the tilling of the soil tO' embark in mercantile
life, opening a general store at Mount Lib-
erty, and he is now the oldest merchant in
years of continuous service in the village.
He first began business here in a small way,
but as time has passed by, success has re-
warded his efforts and he is now the propri-
etor of a large and well stocked store. His
success is largely due to his capable manage-
ment, splendid executive ability, untiring-
efforts and firm purpose, and his reputation
in commercial circles is above question.
The marriage of Mr. Robertson was cele-
brated in 1866, when ^liss C. Scarborough
became his wife. She is a native daughter
of Knox county, her parents, James and
Eliza (Breckenridge) Scarborough, having
been among the early pioneers of this local-
ity, locating in Liberty township as early as
1838. Three children have been born unto
this union : Josephine. William N. and Ar-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
233
thur E., the latter attending school at Mount
Vernon. The daughter is a graduate of
music at the Boston Musical Conservatory,
and her husband, the Rev. A. E. Winter, is
a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church
at Sandusky, Ohio. Rev. William N. Rob-
ertson is a graduate of the Ohio Western
University, and is also a minister of the
Methodist Episcopal church, being' now lo-
cated at Wakeman, Huron county, Ohio.
He married Miss Daisy McLellan. Mr. Rob-
ertson, of this review, is a stanch Republi-
can in his political views, and socially he is a
member of the Grand Army of the Republic
and the Knights of Honor. His religious
views are in harmony with the Methodist
Episcopal church, in which he has long held
membership, and for many years has served
as a steward therein. His friends have the
highest appreciation of his many excellent
qualities, and all esteem him for a life over
which there falls no' shadow of wrong or
suspicion of evil.
BENJAMIN DURBIN.
Benjamin Durbin, who is now living re-
tired at his pleasant home in Danville, en-
joying the fruits of his former toil, was born
in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 8th of May,
1828, a son of Baptist and a grandson of
John Durbin, both natives of Maryland. In
early life the latter was employed as a dis-
tiller, but he was a weaver by trade and fol-
lowed that occupation after coming to Ohio.
His death occurred in Howard township
when he had reached the eighty-second mile-
stone on the journey of life. He was of Ger-
man descent. His son and the father of our
15
subject left his native state when a young
man and removed to Belmont county, Ohio,
where he was engaged in farming until 1832,
the year of his arrival in Knox county. Lo-
cating in Howard township, he there carried
on agricultural pursuits during the remaind-
er of his life, passing to the home beyond
when he had reached the age of seventy-four
years. In Belmont county, Ohio, he was
united in marriage to Catherine King, a na-
tive of that county, and she passed away in
death at the comparatively early age of forty-
four years. Her father, John King, came to
this country from Ireland, his native land-
Unto this union fourteen children were born,,
eleven of whom grew to years of maturity.
After the death of the mother of these chil-
dren the father was again married, but there
were no children by the second union.
Benjamin Durbin, the second of his par-
ents' fourteen children, was but three years
of age when he was brought to Knox county,
Ohio, and his education was obtained in the
district schools of Howard township. Re-
maining with his father until his twenty-first
year, he then, in 1S50, went to Wyandot
county, Ohio, where he remained for the fol-
lowing three years, on the expiration of
which period he again went tO' Howard
township. From that time until his mar-
riage he remained with his father on the old
homestead, and about 1863 he came to Union
township, purchasing and locating on the
farm which he still owns. His home place
consists of two hundred and forty acres of
excellent land, all of which is under a fine
state of cultivation, and everything about the
place bears evidence of a progressive and
thrifty owner. Success has abundantly re-
warded the well directed efforts of Mr. Dur-
bin, securing for him an excellent compe-
234
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
tence, and in 1898 he was able to put aside
the active duties of a business Hfe and spend
the remainder of his days in quiet retirement,
removing to Danville.
Mr. Durbin has been twice married. In
1857 he wedded Margaret McXaman, and
tliey had the following children, name-
ly: William B., deceased; Alice, de-
ceased; Clement, a prominent fanner of
Union township; Salora, the wife of
Albert Loysdon, of Wyandot county,
Ohio; Mary J-, wife of Thomas Dur-
bin, of Howard township; and Bertha,
wife of William Grassbaugh, who resides on
a farm belonging to our subject in Union
township. For his second wife Mr. Durbin
chose Elizabeth Porter, the widow of Francis
McNamara. He cast his first presidential
vote for Scott, and his ballot was afterward
cast in favor of Whig and Republican can-
didates until he supported Buchanan in 1856,
and he also voted for Bryan at both elec-
tions. For six years he served as trustee of
Union township. Religiously he is a mem-
ber of St. Luke's Catholic church, and has
assisted in the erection of its three houses of
worship in this township, the last one having
been erected in 1895.
JACOB H. DELONG.
Jacob H. Delong is numbered among the
native sons of Knox county, his birth having
occurred in Jefferson township, August 21,
1839, and since he has arrived at years of
maturity he has been an important factor in
agricultural circles. As a progressive citi-
zen he has aided in the work of development
and improvement in the county and well
does he deserve representation among the
leading farmers here. His father, John De-
long, was also a farmer by occupation and
entered land from the government in Jeffer-
son township. The latter's father was a
sailor, but John Delong always devoted his
energies to the work of tilling the soil, and
upon the original homestead in this county
he passed away at the age of forty-five years.
His wife bore the maiden name of Mary
Ann Schultz and was born in Union town-
ship, Knox county, her parents being hon-
ored pioneers of this locality, whither they
came from Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Delong were born ten children, all na-
tives of Knox county. One of the number
is B. F. Delong, a twin brother of our sub-
ject and now a resident of Butler township,
Knox county. One brother, Louis, enlisted
in the Union army and died in the service
of his country. The daughters of the fam-
ily were Martha, tlie wife of M. Simpson,
of Jefferson township; Elizabeth, the wife
of George Stockman, of Shelby, Ohio; and
Rose, who married Felty Derr, of Ashland
county.
On the old family homestead, J. H. De-
long was reared, and in his early youth he
pursued his education in a log school house
of the neighborhood. Very early in life
he started out on his own account, working
by the month or day as a farm hand in the
district in which his parents resided, ^^'hen
he had attained to man's estate he chose as
a companion and helpmate for the journey
of life Miss Louisa Horn, the wedding being
celebrated in Jefferson township January 15,
1863. She was born in this township, a
daughter of Abram and Rebecca (Staats)
Horn, who were early settlers of Knox
countv. Their union has been blessed with
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
235
five children, three sons and two daughters,
namely: Benjamin F., who married Edith
Pinkley and resides in Brinkhaven; Eldora,
the wife of Porter Matthews, of Brown
township ; Rebecca, the wife of Emmerson
Kunkel, also of Brown township; Abram J.,
Avho married Delia Yarger, and is a farmer
of Brown township; and Eldon Roy, at
home. IMr. and Mrs. Belong began their
domestic life upon a rented farm in Jefifer-
son township, there residing for about fif-
teen years, at the expiration of which period
Mr. Belong purchased the farm which is
now their home and to the cultivation of
which he has since devoted his time with
excellent results. He owns one hundred and
twenty-nine acres in this tract, fifty acres
adjoining the home place and one hundred
and forty acres in Jefiferson township, so^
that his landed possessions aggregate three
hundred and sixteen acres. For about thirty
years he was also engaged in the shipping
business, buying and selling stock in con-
nection with farming. He is well known
throughout the county as a reliable business
man, and well has he earned the title of a
self-made man, for his prosperity is the out-
come of his own earnest and honorable ef-
forts. His political allegiance is given the
Bemocracy and he is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church of Jelloway, in
which he has taken an active part in its
work and upbuilding, and is a member of
its board of trustees. In 1861 he manifested
his loyalty to the government by enlisting
in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Regiment, with
which he went to Columbus, but there he
was rejected on account of physical disa-
bility. At home, however, he did all in his
power to advance the Union cause and the
same determined spirit has ever marked the
discharge of his duties of citizenship. Hav-
ing spent his entire life in Knox county his
fellow citizens are familiar with his record,
which at all times has been worthy of com-
mendation and those who have known him
from boyhood are among his stanchest
friends.
BAVIB T. BEST.
The celebrated English historian has
said: "A people that take no pride in the
noble achievements of remote ancestors will
never achieve anything worthy to be remem-
bered with pride by remote generations."
A published family history, however, is
proof that those who bear the name of Best
are interested in the ancestral history as far
as it is known and as through several gener-
ations members of the family have resided in
Knox county and have borne an important
and honorable part in its development and
progress it is expedient that mention be
made of their work in this volume, contain-
ing the records of the prominent citizens
of the community from pioneer times down
to the present period of modern achievement.
Bavid Best has for six decades resided in
Knox county. He was born in New Jersey,
January 5, 1832, and is the sixth of the
eleven children, nine sons and two daugh-
ters of Peter and Mary (Trimmer) Best.
It is believed that the Best family is of
Scotch lineage, but when it was founded in
America is not known. There is only a
traditional histor_y back of the grandparents
of our subject, for in the midst of busy lives
the ancestors did not pause to think tha^
their work and records would some day be
valued by their posterity. John Best, the
236
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
grandfather, was born in New Jersey, June
15, 1759, and his brothers were Jaines, Will-
iam, Cornelius and Michael, and a half-
brother, Daniel. John Best wedded Mary
Haas, who was born May 10, 1767, and
was of a Holland Dutch family, but her an-
cestral history is even more obscure than
that of the Best family. The marriage,
which occurred November 2, 1784, was
blessed with the following children : Mary,
who was born June 6, 1788, and became
Mrs. Rush; John, born April 3, 1791;
James, born April 23, 1794; Peter, born
May 13, 1797; William, bom March 27,
1800; Mrs. Eleanor Bond, born Decem-
ber 7, 1802; and Jacob, born April 11, 1804.
The children became widely scattered as
they married and left home. The parents
both died in Pennsylvania, the mother April
24, 1822, the father in April, 1839, when he
was laid by her side in the Chillisauqua
graveyard in Northumberland county, Penn-
sylvania.
Peter Best, the father of our subject,
though born in New Jersey, was reared just
across the Delaware river in Northumber-
land county, Pennsylvania. At German
Valley, in the former state, however, he was
married, January 2, 1823, to Mary Trim-
mer, who made for him a happy home and
was a loving and devoted mother to their
children. She was born June 5, 1802, the
eldest daughter of John and' Elizabeth (Lan-
terman) Trimmer, who were married in
New Jersey, September 12, 1801. The
father was of German descent, born in 1781,
and the mother's birth occurred March 12,
1779. Leaving their two married daughters
in the east they removed with their younger
children to McLean county. Illinois, and
there secured from the government a home-
stead, but the father was not long permitted
to enjoy his new home, his death there oc-
curring October 3, 1826. In that frontier
region the mother then reared her children
in a manner that made her memory revered
and honored by them. She died April 7,
1847.
Peter Best and his wife began their do-
mestic life on a rented farm near Hacketts-
town. New Jersey, the young husband
sturdily tilling the soil through the first year
with the aid of only one horse, but the little
home was blessed by the presence of a son,
their first born. They afterward returned
to German Valley and during, their eight
years' residence there four more children
were added to the household and still four
others were born in New Germantown, that
state. The following is the record of their
family: John, born October 3, 1823; Will-
iam, June 9, 1825; Jesse, January 7, 1827;
Jacob, January 14, 1829; Mary E., October
25, 1830; David T., January 5, 1832; Lydia
E., May 20, 1834; Ananias, July 10, 1836;
Peter, September 5, 1838; James, October
25, 1840; and Sylvester, January 30, 1843.
The last two were born in Ohio. Of this
number Peter died at the age of fourteen
and William died September 12, 1877., It
was in the fall of 1839 that Peter Best with
his wife and children started westward in
the manner of "movers" of that period and
on the 3d of October crossed the Ohio river
into this state, making their way to Gambler
where lived David Trimmer, an uncle of
Mrs. Best. The mother and children re-
mained at his home while the father sought
a favorable location. He finally purchased
one hundred acres of land near Centerburg,
in Hilhar township, afterward known as the
Best homestead. The familv moved into a
OF KNOX COUNTY,, OHIO.
log- cabin, which, about 1846, was replaced
by a more commodious and comfortable
frame residence. Peter Best, with the aid
of his sons, performed the arduous task of
clearing the land for the plow and cultivat-
ing the first crops, but in course of time the
farm returned to himi a good living. His
wife aided in the establishment of the home
by her neat and frugal management of the
household and the years were thus passed;
but as there were no railroads and as it was
almost an impossibility to hold any commun-
ication with people in other parts of the
county, this immediate family lost all trace
of their relatives, as did the latter of them,
and it was not until many years afterward,
through the genealogical research of Dr.
Robert B. Rush, that the separated families
were once more brought in touch. In this
way Jacob Best came to know of his brother
Peter's whereabouts and resolved to visit
him. One night he arrived in Centerburg
and unannounced he walked into his broth-
er's sitting room. They had not seen each
other for forty years, but the recognition
was mutual and instantaneous, and it may
readily be imagined that the reunion was a
most happ}^ one.
The greatest grief which came to the
pioneer home was in the death of the wife
and mother, Mrs. Mary Best, July 22, 1856.
The husband survived almost twenty years,
passing away September 12, 1875. They
were both earnest Christian people and
brought up their children in the fear and
admonition of the Lord. Their names were
long on the membership rolls of the Cum-
berland Presbyterian church of Centerburg,
and their lives were in harmony with the
teachings of the Master.
The following is a brief record of their
children, with exception of Peter, whose
death has been chronicled : John Best went
to Champaign county, Ohio, in 1842, and
has since lived near Cable. He was married
Noveinber 29, 1849, to Mary Jane Yocom,
who died Augxist 17, 1894. They had three
children — Enola Jane, wife of Staton E.
Middleton; Carrie Belle, wife of David
Perry ; and John W. P.
AVilliaml Best was married November
15, 1846, to Sophia Houk and located on a
portion of the home farm, where he died
September 12, 1877, his wife March 22,
1884. Their children were Ananias Trim-
mer; Laura Josephine Isable, the widow of
John R. Headington; Malissa Adaline; Pe-
ter Leroy; and Mary Loella, the wife of
W^illiam A. Palmer. All are deceased with
the exception of the married daughters.
Jesse Best spent the winter of 1854-5 in
Lexington, Illinois, and in the latter year re-
moved to Clarksville, Iowa, but after eleven
years wenut to Neosho Falls, Kansas, where
he has followed farming. He was married
November 30, 1856, to Mary E. Spawr and
died December 20, 1901. Their children are
Elizabeth Ellen, wife of William Cooke;
William James; Peter Sylvester, deceased;
Lydia Olive; Jesse Jasper; Frank Leslie;
and Myrtle Imogene, deceased.
Jacob Best "went to Lexington, Illiniois,
in the fall of 1853 and became a successful
lumber merchant, but retired from business
in 1 89 1. He was married February 24,
1874, to Isabel Garrett, and they lost two
children, Saidee Belle and Leonard Garrett.
Mary E. Best was married April 13,
1854, to Lemon Chadwick, and in 1868 they
removed to Woodson county, Kansas, where
they followed farming until about 1893,
when they went to Nevada, IMissouri. They
238
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
had four children: Laura Adaline; Alson
E., Annia [Matilda and Effie Ellen. All are
married and the first named is now deceased.
David T. Best is the next of his fathers
family.
Lydia E. Best was married October 19,
1880, to John McGuire and they reside on
a part of the old homestead.
Ananias Best went to Clarksville, Iowa,
in 1 86 1 and after following farming with
success for a number of years is now living
retired on a small tract of land near the
town. He was married May 31, 1863, to
Catherine R. McCreary, and they have two
sons, Jacob Samuel and John William, both
married and living near their parents.
James Best secured a collegiate educa-
tion in Waynesburg College, of Pennsyl-
vania, and in 1867 was ordained a minister
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He
preached at various places for that denom-
ination, but recently he became identified
with the Presbyterian church. The family
home is in Westerville, Ohio. He married
Narcissa ^I. Conner, of Cumberland, Ohio,
and their children are Xolan Rice, Ernst
Merton and Mary Iva.
Sylvester Best, when a young man of
nineteen, enlisted as a member of Company
F, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and was made a cor-
poral. He took part in some of the most
hotly contested engagements of the Civil
war and at Kenesaw Mountain, June 27,
1864, was seriously wounded. He was sent
to a hospital at Nashville and for several
months it was impossible to tell whether he
would live or die, but after many weeks of
suffering he finally recovered. He was mar-
ried May 19, 1866, to ]\Iiss ]Martha Annett,
and unto them were born six children : Car-
rie Bernice, who died at the age of one year ;
Sylvester Robert ; Jesse Taylor ; Charles
Sherman; an infant daughter; and Guy
Spenser.
We now take up the personal history of
David T. Best, whose name introduces this
sketch and to whom we are indebted for the
facts concerning this honored pioneei" fam-
ily. He was only about eight years of age
when his parents came to Knox county, set-
tling near Gambier. Upon the old family
homestead he was reared and experienced
all tlie hardships and trials incident to life
on tlie frontier, but there were also many
pleasures to be enjoyed, which are not
known at the present time and altogether the
life was a happy one. It is true he bore his
share in the farm work, but this proved an
excellent training for him so that when he
began farming on his own account practical
experience fitted him for the work.
On the 4th of January, 1855, Mr. Best
was united in marriage to Miss Susannah
Addleman, who was born in Greene county,
Pennsylvania, and came to Knox county
\vhen about seven years of age. Her parents
were John and Mehitable (Clawson) Ad-
dleman. For thirty-eight years !\Ir. and
Mrs. Best enjoyed a happy married, and
then, on the 9th of January, 1893, this
worthy couple were separated by the hand of
death, the wife being called to the home
beyond. They were the parents of three
children, of whom two are living, John and
Lydia Ellen, both of whom are with their
father; and Wilbert Irvin, who died May
22, 1897. He had married Lydia Ross and
at his death left a widow and three children,
David Irvin, Gladys Leora and Minnie
Florabell.
Immediately after his marriage Mr. Best
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
239
located on the farm where he yet Hves and
has since engaged in general farming and
stock raising. When a boy he learned the
plasterer's trade and followed it before his
marriage and to some extent afterward, but
his attention has been chiefly occupied with
his agricultural interests. He has a quarter
section of land in the home place and in
addition owns a tract of one liundred and
fi\-e acres known as tlie Merritt farm, also
in Hilliar township. His systematic meth-
ods, his enterprise, unflagging industry and
perseverance have brought to him very grat-
ifying success. In his political affiliations
Mr. Best has always been a Democrat and
at one time served as trustee in his township.
For many years he has been a memlaer of
the Freewill Baptist church, takes an active
part in its work and has filled many of its
offices. His life has been in harmony with
its teachings, and the sterling qualities of
his character have won him the high re-
gard of many friends.
LUTHER L. HYATT.
Nature seems to have intended that the
closing years of life shall be a period of rest
and inactivity. In youth one possesses
vigor and strength and the courage that
dares to undertake almost any task ; as mid-
dle age comes on judgment and experience
direct into safe channels the labors of
younger years and make profitable the hon-
est toil; then if one has carefully husbanded
their resources in the evening of life there
is plenty to meet the needs of man and also
to supply him with many of the luxuries
that go to make life worth the living and
thus a rest may be enjoyed as the fitting re-
ward of the work of former years. Such
has been the career of Mr. Hyatt, wIto was
long connected with the agricultural inter-
ests of Knox county and is now living re-
tired in a pleasant home in Mount Vernon.
He is among the worthy citizens that
Maryland has furnished to Ohio, his birth
having occurred in Montgotriery county, of
the former state, on the 22d of May, 1823,
his parents being Phillip and Rizbah Nor-
wood (Watkins) Hyatt. It is said that the
family was founded in America by three
brothers, Meshac, Shadrach and Abdenego
Hyatt. Jesse Hyatt, the grandfather of
our subject, became a resident of Maryland
and laid out the village of Hyattstown,
\\-hicli was named in h.is honor and from
whicii he received large rentals during his
life, while his descendants yet obtain a good
income from the property which was for-
merly owned by their ancestor. Jesse Hyatt
married Ann Riggs, and they became jthe;
parents of five children: Elisha, Phillip,
Jesse, Sarah and Caroline. Of this family
Phillip Hyatt was the father of our suljject.
He married Rizbah N. Watkins, and unto
them were born twelve children : Luther
L., Ann Riggs, Susan Matilda, Phillip
Hammond, Joseph Hamilton, Elizabeth
Sarah, Caroline, Olive, Mlaria, Columbus
D., Columbia and John Thomas. The last
named died in the Civil war. Tlie father,
Phillip Hyatt, was a soldier of the war of
1812, enlisting from Maryland and serving
until the close of hostilities, during which
time he experienced many of the hardships
and rigors of war. He followed farming as
a life work and died in Mount Vernon,
Ohio, in 1882.
The foundation for the education of
240
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Luther L. Hyatt was laid in the schools of
his native county, which he attended for
one year. When a lad of nine summers
he accompanied his parents on their re-
moval to Knox county, Ohio, the family
taking up their abode in Liberty township
in 1832. In the old-time subscription
schools here Mr. Hyatt completed his edu-
cation. The school house was built of logs,
the floor was constructed of puncheons, the
seats were of slabs and the wi"iting desk
was formed of a long, rough board fastened
to the wall and extending the entire length
of the building. One entire end of the
room was occupied by the fireplace, which
was large enough for a big log to be rolled
into it. After acquiring his primary educa-
tion amid such primitive stu'roundings Mr.
Hyatt spent one year in a select school in
Mount Vernon, and in th-e meantime he
aided in the arduous task of clearing the
wild land, converting it into fields ready for
cultivation and raising the first crops, which
were planted among the stumps, for the
roots of trees were so thick that it was im-
possible to use a plow and an old straight-
tooth drag was utilized in loosening the
ground so that the seed could be planted.
One of the first tools that Mr. Hyatt ever
handled was an ax weighing four pounds,
and with this he cut a great many trees
while clearing the land of his father's farm.
He continued to use that impleiment for
many years, and with other primitive farm
machinery aided in carrying on the farm
work. Mr. Hyatt developed into a prac-
tical farmer and continuously engaged in
the raising of the cereals best adapted to
this climate until 1881, when he retired
from active business life and purchased a
handsome residence on North Main street,
where he is still living. He still owns a
valuable farm of one hundred and five acres
of highly improved land in Wayne town-
ship, the greater part of which is under cul-
tivation and from which he derives annually
a good income.
In March, 1853, Mr. Hyatt secured as
a companion and helpmate on the journey
of life Miss Malinda Smith, a daughter of
Preserve Smith, and unto them were born
four children : Charles Hamilton, a farmer
of Wayne township; Louella, the wife of
Alonzo Rock, of Canton, Ohio; Carrie
Josephine, the wife of Frank McFadden, of
Mount Vernon; and John, \Vlro is living in
Red Lodge, M(ontana. After the death of
his first wife Mr. Hyatt wedded Matilda
Ann \Valker, a daughter of William
Walker. She, too, died and he married
Miss Catherine Davis Wolfe, a daughter
of Eli and Caroline (Hyatt) Wolfe.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. H)-att
put aside all personal consideration and in
1864, in Mount Vernon, enlisted in Com-
pany A, One Hundred and Forty-second
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred
days' service. He participated in several
skirmishes, but was mostly engaged in
guard duty, and at the close of his term \\as
honorably discharged and mustered out at
Columbus. He is now a member of Joe
Hooker Post, G. A. R., of Mount Vernon,
and in politics he is a stalwart Republican.
He has held several township offices and in
1870 was made county infinnary director,
which position he held for two terms. He
has always been prominently identified with
movements for the general good, co-
operating heartily in advancing many such
measures. Great changes have occurred
since he came to the county and a wonder-
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
ful transformation has been wrought, for
the \\ild lands have been reclaimed for pur-
poses of civilization, and where once stood
dense forests are now seen fields rich in
golden grain. The work of progress has
been carried steadily forward and no one
has taken greater pride in what has been ac-
complished than this honored pioneer,
Luther L. Hyatt, who for seventy years has
resided within the borders of Knox county.
JOSEPH ADDISON RIcFARLAND.
The subject of this sketch is of Scotch-
Holland ancestry, early representatives of
the family of McFarland having fled from
Scotland to Ireland to escape persecution in
their native land and come over later in the
Mayflowier to Amierica, and his mother's
forefathers having been born and having
lived for many generations in Holland.
Joseph A. McFarland is a son of William
Scott and Anna (Pierson) McFarland, and
was born in Clay township, Knox county,
Ohio, October i6, 1824. He began his edu-
cation in the district schools of that town-
ship, and when he was seven years old ac-
companied his parents to Morgan township,
settling on the farm which is now his home.
After that he pursued his studies in the pub-
lic school near by and at the old academy at
Martinsburg. He was early instructed in
the mysteries of successful farming, has
been a fanner all his life except during one
year, when he was a clerk in a general store
in Martinsburg and now owiis a home farm
of one hundred and twenty-one acres in Mor-
gan township and an eighty-acre farm in
Clay township. While doing general farm-
ing he has devoted himself especially to the
breeding of Merino sheep, being now the
owner of a fine flock of one hundred and
sixty-five head. Mr. McFarland's long and
useful life covers much of the period of the
development of the country around him, and
in his early days he helped to clear land and
put it under cultivation, and since then he
has stood shoulder to shoulder with those
who have been most active and influential in
making the improvements now visible on
every hand.
Mr. McFarland afliliates with the Pres-
byterian church, and has been a Republican
since the organization of that party. He
had voted at but two presidential elections
prior to 1856, and that year he voted for
John C. Fremont, and he takes pride in the
fact that he has voted for each successive
Republican nominee since that time. Feb-
ruary 10, 1858, he married Margaret H.
Graham, a daughter of John and Mary
(Ross) Graham, who has borne him children
as follows : Hannah Mary, who married
David Harriman and lives at Newark, Ohio ;
Orra Jean, who is a member of her father's
household; Carrie, who died in November,
1883, aged twenty-two years ; John Howard,
who married Grace Pierson, who is now
dead, and is a school teacher at Bank Sta-
tion, Knox county; and Emma and Libbie,
residents of Martinsburg. The mother of
these children died December 21, 1875, and
December 25, 1876, Mr. McFarland married
Mrs. Flora Morrison, daughter of Patterson
P. and Nancy (Kirkpatrick) Pierson.
William Scott McFarland, father of Jo-
seph Addison McFarland, was born in Am-
well township, Washington county, Penn-
sylvania, and in 181 1 emigrated to- Ohio, set-
tling in Clay township, Knox county, where
242
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
he bought eighty acres of land, which he
owned until his death in 1865. His wife,
Anna Pierson, daughter of John and Sarah
(Van Dyke) Pierson, sun-ived him until
1871. They were the parents of six children,
named as follows in the order of their na-
tivity: John M., who died at seventy-eight
years of age; Jane, who died an infant;
Emily, a maiden lady ; Thomas, who died in
infancy ; Joseph Addison, who is the imme-
diate subject of this sketch ; and Samuel, who
died at the age of sixty-five. Mr. McFar-
land's great-grandfather, Colonel Daniel
McFarland, commanded a regiment in the
colonial service in the Revolutionary war,
and Iiis maternal great-grandfather, John
Pierson, also fought for American inde-
pendence.
MATHEW WELSH.
For many decades Mathew Welsh has
been a highly respected citizen of Knox
county, and is well deserving of a place in
a volume which contains the histories of tiie
county's most substantial men. He has
made an untarnished record and unspotted
reputation in industrial circles, and in all
places and under all circumstances he is
loyal to truth, honor and right, justly re-
garding his O'wn self-respect as infinitely
more desirable than wealth, fame or position.
Mr. Welsh was born in Lower Canada,
about nine miles from Montreal, on the 2d
of October, 1839. His father, Morris
Welsh, was a native of Ireland, but when a
young man he left the land of his birth for
the new world, locating in Vermont, where
he was married to Julia Dewire. Afterward
he removed with his wife to Canada, and
about 1845 thsy came to Ohio, locating in
Richland county. In the following year they
took up their abode in Howard township,
•Knox county, and the father's death occurred
in Paulding county, this state, when he haa
reached the age of sixty-three years. His
wife died at the comparatively early age of
forty-three years. She, too, was a
native of the Emerald Isle. Unto this
worthy couple were born six children, five
sons and one daughter, namely : Edward,
who laid down his life on the altar of his
country, having been killed at the battle of
Gettysburg ; William, who is engaged in the
insurance business in Mount Vernon;
Mathew, the subject of this review ; John, a
retired farmer of Nebraska; Johanna, the
wife of William Sapp, oi Knox county : and
Morris, who is a painter of Centerburg,
Ohio.
^Mathew Welsh was about six years of
age when he was brought by his parents to
Knox county, Ohio, and in the district
schools of Howard township he received his
early educational privileges. He was left
an orphan when eleven years old, and at
that early age he was thrown upon his own
resources to fight life's battles as best he
could. He has indeed battled earnestly and
energetically, and by indomitable courage
and integrity has achieved both character
and affluence. In 1859 he crossed the plains
with an ox team and cart to Pike's Peak,
seven weeks and four days having been con-
sumed in the journey from St. Joe to Den-
ver, Colorado, and in that state he was en-
gaged in mining for the following thtee
years. In 1862 he returned to Knox county,
and in the following year he offered his
OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
243.
services to the Union cause, enlisting' in
Company I, Second Ohio Heav)- Artillery,
entering the ranks as a private. During- his
army service he took part in many of the
important battles, and for three months
served as a guard to General Scofield. Dur-
ing his entire term of service he was never
wounded, but at the battle of Morristown
he recei\-ed nine bullet holes in his clothing,
one bullet having passed through his hat.
For meritorious conduct on the field of bat-
tle he was promoted from a private to first
sergeant of his company, and at the close
of hostilities, in 1865, he was honorably
discharg-ed at Nashville, Tennessee, after
which he returned to his old home in Knox
county. After his marriage, which occurred
in 1866, he located on a farm in Howard
township, where he remained until 1892, and
from that time until the ist of I\Iay, 1901,
he made his home upon a farm of one hun-
dred and forty acres which he had purchased
in Monroe township. At the latter date he
retired from the active duties of the farm and
located in Howard, where he is now living
in cjuiet retirement, enjoying the fruits of
former toil.
On the 14th of November, 1866, oc-
curred the marriage of Mr. Welsh and Miss
Eleanor Critchfield, who was born in How-
ard township, Knox county, on the 15th of
April, 1844, a daughter of Lewis and Mary
J. (Dawson) Critchfield and a sister of Jo-
seph Critchfield, whose history, together
with that of the family, will be found on an-
other page of this volume. Mrs. Welsh,
the fourth child and eldest daughter in her
parents' family, was reared and educated in
the place of her nativity. By her marriage
with Mr. Welsh she has become the mother
of two sons, — Lewis C, who married Cora
Leonard and resides on the home farm; and
Charles Francis, who married Sarah B.
Brillhart, and is a prominent agriculturist
of Knox county. He has one daughter,
Julia May. Mr. Welsh, of this review, is.
a member of Joe Hooker Post, No. 20, G.
A. R., of Mount Vernon, being transferred
from Leroy Baker Post at Danville, in
which he had filled all the chairs, and is
also a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, No. 316, of Mount Vernon.
Religiously he is a worthy member and.
acti\-e worker in the Christian church at
Millwood.
MARK WORKMAN.
Mark Workman, deceased, was a native
son of tlie Buckeye state. For many years
he made his home on the farm which his
widow still owns, and was successfully en-
gaged in agricultural pursuits, being an in-
dustrious, enterprising and energetic man,
of good business and executive ability. His
birth occurred in Brown township, Knox
county, on the 19th of April, 1852, and he
was early inured to the labors of field and
meadow, while the educational advantages
which he received in his youth were those af-
forded by the common schools of his locality.
After putting aside his text-books as a
scholar he again entered the school room as.
an instructor, and for a considerable period
instructed the young along lines of mental
advancement. On the 27th of December,
1876. he was united in marriage to Miss
Angeline Hays, and their union was bright-
ened and blessed by the presence of one
daughter, Estella, who became the wife oT
V. L. Horn, a prominent and successful ag-
A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
riculturist of Pleasant township, Knox
•county.
Soon after their marriage the young
couple remove